Mitsubishi Colt Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mitsubishi Colt car check
Is the Mitsubishi Colt reliable? We analysed 950,325 real MOT tests across 68,947 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mitsubishi Colt? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mitsubishi Colt is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Colt.
Mitsubishi Colt Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mitsubishi Colt. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mitsubishi Colt MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mitsubishi Colt to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mitsubishi Colt Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mitsubishi Colt fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mitsubishi Colt Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mitsubishi Colt models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mitsubishi Colt Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mitsubishi Colt owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mitsubishi Colt MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mitsubishi Colt year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 53 | 79.2% | 62,394 | 98,548 | 114,672 |
| 2016 | 52 | 67.3% | 48,801 | 58,538 | 84,132 |
| 2014 | 50 | 78.0% | 53,064 | 65,751 | 101,420 |
| 2013 | 7,245 | 79.4% | 25,786 | 42,256 | 63,808 |
| 2012 | 22,518 | 79.0% | 27,341 | 44,335 | 66,750 |
| 2011 | 28,760 | 78.7% | 28,795 | 47,799 | 71,869 |
| 2010 | 51,548 | 76.5% | 30,918 | 51,097 | 76,470 |
| 2009 | 92,126 | 75.0% | 32,549 | 53,432 | 79,085 |
| 2008 | 134,885 | 72.3% | 34,744 | 55,449 | 79,643 |
| 2007 | 145,949 | 72.5% | 36,513 | 58,371 | 83,561 |
| 2006 | 137,908 | 72.8% | 37,696 | 59,899 | 85,379 |
| 2005 | 128,162 | 71.8% | 38,219 | 60,803 | 86,477 |
| 2004 | 34,154 | 71.5% | 36,606 | 58,888 | 85,045 |
| 2003 | 6,621 | 71.4% | 34,864 | 56,132 | 80,132 |
| 2002 | 12,085 | 71.2% | 38,367 | 58,367 | 84,333 |
| 2001 | 11,701 | 69.7% | 41,857 | 61,154 | 84,640 |
| 2000 | 13,536 | 70.5% | 43,922 | 63,578 | 86,624 |
| 1999 | 19,155 | 68.7% | 50,567 | 70,694 | 92,114 |
| 1998 | 25,967 | 67.8% | 53,924 | 74,496 | 96,768 |
| 1997 | 24,037 | 67.0% | 58,033 | 79,388 | 101,964 |
How Long Does a Mitsubishi Colt Last?
Based on 68,947 Mitsubishi Colt vehicles on UK roads.
Mitsubishi Colt Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mitsubishi Colt
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.4% MOT pass rate from 7,245 tests
64.4% MOT pass rate from 73 tests
The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Colt is 2013, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.4% across 7,245 tests. The 1985 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mitsubishi Colt Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Colt THIS CAR | 72.5% | 950,325 | 59,666 mi | 30 yrs |
| Mitsubishi L200 | 74.1% | 1,362,678 | 80,302 mi | 29 yrs |
| Mitsubishi Shogun | 71.9% | 1,312,716 | 107,142 mi | 37 yrs |
| Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab | 70.2% | 774,794 | 91,242 mi | 27 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz Ml | 74.7% | 1,172,506 | 87,776 mi | 28 yrs |
Compared to the Mitsubishi L200 (74.1% pass rate) and the Mitsubishi Shogun (71.9% pass rate), the Mitsubishi Colt sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
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Check a specific Mitsubishi ColtShould you buy a used Mitsubishi Colt?
The Mitsubishi Colt has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.5% across 950,325 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mitsubishi Colt are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (26,841 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (25,645), and registration plate lamp not working (16,687). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mitsubishi Colt with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Mitsubishi Colt owner drives around 5,095 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Mitsubishi Colt models stay on UK roads for around 30 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.