Used car guide

2010 Mitsubishi Colt: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mitsubishi Colt first registered in 2010: we looked at the 7,539 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,539MOTs of 2010 cars, done in 2023–2025
58%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 60%)
5,400typical miles a year
3.9×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Mitsubishi Colt?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Mitsubishi Colt than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.9× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    13.5% All 2010 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.5% of all 2010 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.

  • Track rod ends2.5× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    12.5% All 2010 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2.5% of all 2010 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes11.5× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    6.9% All 2010 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.2% of all 2010 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    9.9% All 2010 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 2.2% of all 2010 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.

  • Wipers2.2× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    7.6% All 2010 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.3% of all 2010 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.7% here, against 10.2% of all 2010 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 0.7% here, against 6.5% of all 2010 cars.

Common 2010 Mitsubishi Colt MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% 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
    34% 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
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    23% 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
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    10% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2010 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 2010 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 ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2010 Mitsubishi Colt as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2010 Mitsubishi Colt as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 11.5× as often on the 2010 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%
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%
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 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score