Skip to main content
Check
Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Colt reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-present2 named generationsHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Mitsubishi Colt built around 2008: about average at the MOT

Mitsubishi Colts built around 2008 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Mitsubishi Colt by number plate

Key figure

35% of MOT tests on Mitsubishi Colts built around 2008 ended in a fail (retests included), against 33% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mitsubishi Colts built around 2008 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mitsubishi Colt's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Colt's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Colt Mk7 (Z30)

Mk7 (Z30) (2005-2013)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

27.6% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 1,400 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

33.9% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 28.6% and 39.7%

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 280 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Mitsubishi Colt.

See every build year for the Mitsubishi Colt

Side-by-side

Mitsubishi Colt generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk7 (Z30) (2005-2013)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate27.6%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 1,400 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating33.9%likely between 28.6% and 39.7%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 280 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Colt, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Mitsubishi Colt fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mitsubishi Colt ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
11020.0%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,40027.6%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,81427.2%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
2,55629.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
4,24432.1%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
4,49333.2%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
4,88635.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
3,59434.6%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
2,61933.9%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,44334.0%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
17933.0%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
5625.0%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
28033.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 17 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 17-year-old Mitsubishi Colts

These issues come from 17-year-old Mitsubishi Colts, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    19.6%
    Advisory: 1,231Fail: 111 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    18.1%
    Advisory: 1,096Fail: 147 (12% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    16.9%
    Advisory: 1,038Fail: 169 (14% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    10.6%
    Advisory: 599Fail: 150 (20% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    9.9%
    Advisory: 539Fail: 272 (34% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,886 MOT tests on 17-year-old Mitsubishi Colts, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 17-year-old Mitsubishi Colts notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres31%
  2. Lighting + Suspension31%
  3. Brakes + Suspension27%
  4. Lighting + Tyres23%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 3,082 MOT tests on Mitsubishi Colt cars built around 2008 (17 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Mitsubishi Colt.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

7 recalls in all

6 of the 7 Mitsubishi Colt recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 5 more

Top concerns

  • The air bag inflator might have a different air bag deployment performance than designed providing less protection
  • EPS system may malfunction
  • Engine crankshaft pulley concern

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Nissan Micra

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.9%
    Dangerous
    5.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 30.5%, against 35.1% for the Mitsubishi Colt, both built around 2008.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,936 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Daihatsu Sirion

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.2%
    Dangerous
    6.2%

    Lower fail rate: 28.3%, against 35.1% for the Mitsubishi Colt, both built around 2008.

    1,990 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Hyundai i10

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    31.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.3%
    Dangerous
    8.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 31.7%, against 35.1% for the Mitsubishi Colt, both built around 2008.

    3,187 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Hyundai Getz

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.4%
    Dangerous
    8.2%

    Lower fail rate: 32.7%, against 35.1% for the Mitsubishi Colt, both built around 2008.

    5,004 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the Mitsubishi Colt across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 4,886 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Mitsubishi Colt ever sold: 27,674 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2008 (17 years old): 4,886 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.