Used car guide

2004 Mitsubishi Colt petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Mitsubishi Colt first registered in 2004 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 1,082 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,082MOTs of 2004 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
49%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 57%)
4,600typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for headlights

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Mitsubishi Colt petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Mitsubishi Colt petrol than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Headlights1.9× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    25% All 2004 cars
    13.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.3%, against 4.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Ball joint dust cover3× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    14.1% All 2004 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.8% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Number plate lights2.1× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    16.5% All 2004 cars
    7.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    19.3% All 2004 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 2.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Headlight aim2.1× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    14.5% All 2004 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 14.5%, against 6.8% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 4.3% here, against 17.4% of all 2004 cars. Engine oil leaks: 4.1% here, against 14.5% of all 2004 cars.

Common 2004 Mitsubishi Colt petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Mitsubishi Colt petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    54% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    52% 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.

  • Tyres
    37% 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.

  • Brakes
    30% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    15% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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 an engine warning light.

Known faults on the 2004 Mitsubishi Colt petrol

The RAC calls its reliability excellent, and What Car? says it hasn't heard of any particular problems. Check the exhaust and tyres, and look for hard use on the turbocharged CZT.

Source: RAC: Mitsubishi Colt (2004-2013) used car review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Mitsubishi Colt petrol

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

  1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2004 Mitsubishi Colt petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2004 Mitsubishi Colt petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2004 Mitsubishi Colt petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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%
2003119Suspension 55%
2002211Suspension 43%
2001–Too few tests
2000154Suspension 47%
1999145Suspension 38%
1998165Suspension 47%
1997122Suspension 54%
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 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score