Mitsubishi Colt MOT Failures
An analysis of 255,412 real DVSA MOT tests on the Mitsubishi Colt — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: CA0 (2004–2012), CZT (2004–2009), Z30 (1996–2004).
Where the Mitsubishi Colt fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Mitsubishi Colt is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 453 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 255,412 MOT tests, 2.79% of all Mitsubishi Colt tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include seat mounting fault (31x the fleet average), vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (28x the fleet average), electrical wiring fault (24x the fleet average), and track rod ends worn (16x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Mitsubishi Colt's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Suspension, Seatbelts & Airbags, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics, Steering and others. If you're inspecting a Mitsubishi Colt before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Mitsubishi Colt's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Mitsubishi Colt specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (28x the average) and abs fault (27x). suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (17x) and anti-roll bar links worn (17x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Mitsubishi Colt specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (49x the average) and emissions failure (33x). structural corrosion (24x) and electrical wiring fault (21x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Mitsubishi Colt specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (100x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (26x). electrical wiring fault (20x) and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (16x) also appear frequently.
The shift from vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... at lower mileages to abs fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Mitsubishi Colt specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe mounting point corrosion (CA0) Dangerous
The rear subframe mounting points on CA0 generation Colts are prone to severe corrosion that compromises structural integrity. Affects CA0; typical independent garage repair cost is £600–£1,200.
Rear suspension component failure (CA0) Major
Rear suspension bushes and joints on CA0 Colts deteriorate rapidly and can detach completely. Affects CA0; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Flexible brake hose deterioration (CA0) Major
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. Affects CA0; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£150.
CZT turbocharger oil seal failure Major
The Mitsubishi TD04 turbocharger fitted to CZT variants develops oil seal failure between 60-120k miles. Affects CZT; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,200.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Mitsubishi Colt common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Mitsubishi Colt
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Mitsubishi Colt:
Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, abs fault, suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Bodywork — check for vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t.... Lights & Electrics — check for electrical wiring fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe mounting point corrosion and rear suspension component failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £600. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Mitsubishi Colt?
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Mitsubishi Colt MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mitsubishi Colt?
Based on 255,412 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is anti-roll bar links worn — at 453x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include seat mounting fault and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t....
Is the Mitsubishi Colt reliable based on MOT data?
The Mitsubishi Colt has 17 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe mounting point corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Mitsubishi Colt most commonly fails on abs fault and anti-roll bar links worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... and abs fault.
How do I check a Mitsubishi Colt's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.