Mitsubishi Colt MOT pass rate and common problems
64.4% of 31,737 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests pass.
The Colt passes 64.4% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Mitsubishi models (78.5%).
The Mitsubishi Colt passes 64.4% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Mitsubishi Colt?
This is the average across every Mitsubishi Colt in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mitsubishi’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 70.3% at 10–15 years to 61.2% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (10) | 10 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (4) | 4 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 70.3% | 11,104 | 75,822 miles |
| 15+ years | 61.2% | 20,618 | 88,610 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mitsubishi Colt
The most common reason the Mitsubishi Colt fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 74.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 74.6% | Not working |
| Suspension | 44.4% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Brakes | 24.5% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Body, chassis, structure | 23.2% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 19.0% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 18.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 14.2% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Steering | 13.1% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.2% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 0.9% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Mitsubishi Colt: what to check
These checks follow the Mitsubishi Colt’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Mitsubishi Colt comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 70.3% to 61.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 75.7% down to 64.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 74.6% of failed Mitsubishi Colt MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 44.4% of failed Mitsubishi Colt MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 24.5% of failed Mitsubishi Colt MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 23.2% of failed Mitsubishi Colt MOTs.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 19.0% of failed Mitsubishi Colt MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mitsubishi service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mitsubishi models
- Mitsubishi Outlander — 83.0% pass rate
- Mitsubishi Shogun — 75.1% pass rate
- Mitsubishi Asx — 81.3% pass rate
- Mitsubishi Lancer — 74.4% pass rate
- Mitsubishi Mirage — 86.6% pass rate
- Mitsubishi Eclipse — 90.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mitsubishi Colt?
- 64.4% of Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests pass, based on 31,737 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mitsubishi Colt?
- The most common reason the Mitsubishi Colt fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 74.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Mitsubishi Colt?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mitsubishi Colt are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Mitsubishi Colt?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; bodywork and corrosion; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mitsubishi Colt's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mitsubishi service history guide for how to check and keep one.