Used car guide

2009 Mitsubishi Colt: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mitsubishi Colt first registered in 2009: we looked at the 11,161 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,161MOTs of 2009 cars, done in 2023–2025
54%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%)
5,200typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for track rod ends

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Mitsubishi Colt?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Mitsubishi Colt than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Track rod ends3.2× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    15.9% All 2009 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

  • Ball joint dust cover3.4× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    14% All 2009 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.7% of all 2009 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes10.3× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    7.2% All 2009 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Wipers2.3× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    8.1% All 2009 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    8.2% All 2009 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.3% here, against 10.4% of all 2009 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 1.1% here, against 7.2% of all 2009 cars.

Common 2009 Mitsubishi Colt MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    33% 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
    24% 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
    13% 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
    9% 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.

Known faults on the 2009 Mitsubishi Colt

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 2009 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 track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2009 Mitsubishi Colt as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2009 Mitsubishi Colt as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 10.3× as often on the 2009 Mitsubishi Colt 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%
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%
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 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score