Used car guide · 1987–2013

Mitsubishi Colt common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mitsubishi Colt, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 19,354 MOTs done during 2025), and what to check before you buy one.

19,354MOTs done in 2025, all years of this model
21,744on the UK register
2011best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987

What usually goes wrong with a Mitsubishi Colt?

The RAC calls its reliability excellent, and What Car? says it hasn't heard of any particular problems. Check the exhaust and tyres, and look for hard use on the turbocharged CZT.

Source: RAC: Mitsubishi Colt (2004-2013) used car review

Common Mitsubishi Colt MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2025.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 4.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes

    up to 14.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Wipers

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007 and 2011.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008 and 2010.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Mitsubishi Colt MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2011 Mitsubishi Colt did best (62% passed first time, 1 point above all 2011 cars) and the 2008 did worst (50%, 7 points below all 2008 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201364%66% -2494 (small sample)
201263%63% +01,388
201162%61% +11,562
201056%59% -32,379
200954%58% -43,414
200850%57% -73,434
200750%57% -72,825
200651%57% -62,081
200552%58% -61,464
200452%58% -6313 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mitsubishi Colt

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 4.1× as often on the Mitsubishi Colt as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Mitsubishi Colt as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 14.3× as often on the Mitsubishi Colt as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mitsubishi Colt?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score