The forgotten supermini with a bargain price tag
The Mitsubishi Colt is a supermini produced from 2004 to 2013 that competed with the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, and Nissan Micra but flew under the radar of most buyers. It appeals to those wanting a reliable, cheap-to-run city car with surprisingly generous interior space for its size. Being less well known than mainstream rivals means used examples offer exceptional value for money.
We track 5 known issues across the Mitsubishi COLT range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mitsubishi COLT? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
CA0 (2004–2012) — Petrol options included the 1.1 MIVEC, 1.3 MIVEC, 1.5 MIVEC, 1.5 Turbo, with 1.5 DI-D on the diesel side. Our database flags 4 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe mounting point corrosion (£600–£1,200 to address).
CZT (2004–2009) — Engine options included the 1.5 Turbo CZT. We track 1 known issues on this generation, with 1 classified as significant. The most significant concern is CZT turbocharger oil seal failure (£800–£1,200 to address).
Z30 (1996–2004) — Engine options included the 1.3, 1.6.
The rear subframe mounting points on CA0 generation Colts are prone to severe corrosion that compromises structural integrity. MOT data shows this model fails at 49.5x the national fleet average for load-bearing structure defects around subframe mounting points. The issue affects all engine variants but is most severe on 1.3-litre models. This is a safety-critical defect that can lead to suspension component detachment and loss of vehicle control.
Severe corrosion of subframe mounting points is an MOT failure and renders the vehicle dangerous to drive. In extreme cases, suspension components can detach completely leading to loss of control. Professional welded repair to structural areas typically costs £800-£1,500 but may not be economically viable on older examples.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
Rear suspension bushes and joints on CA0 Colts deteriorate rapidly and can detach completely. MOT statistics show failure rates up to 49x the national average for suspension components becoming detached and 40.9x for joints likely to become detached. The problem is most severe on 1.1 and 1.3-litre variants. Dust covers also deteriorate at 32.8x the fleet average, accelerating joint wear by allowing dirt and water ingress.
Worn rear suspension bushes cause poor handling, excessive tyre wear, and MOT failure. Complete detachment of suspension components creates a dangerous driving situation. Replacement of rear bush sets typically costs £200-£400 plus labour. Individual components may detach during driving if severely worn.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Flexible brake hoses on CA0 1.5-litre petrol Colts deteriorate at 22.9x the national fleet average, particularly in the 40-80k mile range. The rubber brake hoses become cracked, twisted or stretched, compromising brake performance. This appears to be specific to the 1.5-litre petrol variants and represents a significant safety concern affecting braking effectiveness.
Deteriorated brake hoses can lead to brake failure, representing a serious safety hazard. Flexible hoses that are twisted, cracked, or bulging will fail the MOT test. Complete hose failure results in total loss of braking to that wheel. Replacement of individual brake hoses costs £30-£60 per hose plus labour.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The Mitsubishi TD04 turbocharger fitted to CZT variants develops oil seal failure between 60-120k miles. The high-performance 1.5-litre turbocharged engine runs higher boost pressures than standard Colt variants, accelerating wear on turbo seals. Failed seals cause oil consumption, blue exhaust smoke, and eventual turbo bearing failure. This issue is specific to the performance CZT model and does not affect naturally aspirated variants.
Failed turbo oil seals lead to high oil consumption and eventual turbo bearing failure. A completely failed turbocharger costs £800-£1,500 to replace with a remanufactured unit. Continued driving with failed seals will destroy the turbo bearings and may cause oil starvation to the main engine. The car can be driven carefully to a repair facility but should not be used for daily driving.
During a test drive, check for hesitation, lack of power or unusual whining from the turbo area. Watch for blue or white smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration. Check the oil condition and service history — turbos rely on clean oil.
Steering rack gaiters (protective rubber boots) on CA0 Colts deteriorate at 20.6x the national fleet average. Split or damaged gaiters allow dirt and water to enter the steering rack mechanism, leading to premature wear of internal seals and eventual steering rack failure. This is particularly common on 1.5-litre petrol variants from 2004-2009.
Split steering rack gaiters lead to MOT advisory notices and eventual steering rack wear. If left unrepaired, dirt ingress causes internal seal failure requiring steering rack replacement at £400-£800. Early replacement of damaged gaiters costs £50-£100 and prevents expensive rack replacement.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mitsubishi COLT common problems page.
Based on 148k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mitsubishi COLT fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is anti-roll bar links worn at 453x the fleet average, followed by abs fault (100x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mitsubishi COLT MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 9k miles) typically costs £50–£80 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£300–£450).
See the full Mitsubishi COLT service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mitsubishi COLT has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2009-2013 models are the safest bet, avoiding the problematic 2005-2008 CVT gearbox era and benefiting from Mitsubishi's running improvements. The 1.3 manual is considered the sweet spot for performance and reliability.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Mitsubishi COLT, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Mitsubishi COLT issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.