Used car guide

1997 Mitsubishi Colt: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mitsubishi Colt first registered in 1997: we looked at the 122 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 122 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

122MOTs of 1997 cars, done in 2023–2025
55%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 65%)
2,600typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 Mitsubishi Colt?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 Mitsubishi Colt than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings3.5× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    28.7% All 1997 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 18%, against 4.5% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.4× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    34.4% All 1997 cars
    14.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 2.1% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Common 1997 Mitsubishi Colt MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    39% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    28% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    26% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Rust and bodywork
    24% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    21% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 Mitsubishi Colt

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 1997 Mitsubishi Colt as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 1997 Mitsubishi Colt as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mitsubishi Colt?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mitsubishi Colt compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20131,516Tyres 33%
20124,309Tyres 32%
20114,837Suspension 35%
20107,539Suspension 41%
200911,161Suspension 45%
200812,099Suspension 44%
200710,260Suspension 46%
20067,783Lights and electrics 49%
20055,504Lights and electrics 51%
20041,179Lights and electrics 55%
2003119Suspension 55%
2002211Suspension 43%
2001–Too few tests
2000154Suspension 47%
1999145Suspension 38%
1998165Suspension 47%
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mitsubishi Colt cars first registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score