Used car guide · 1987–2013

Mitsubishi Colt common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mitsubishi Colt, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 67,103 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1993 Mitsubishi Colt

Too few Mitsubishi Colt cars first registered in 1993 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Mitsubishi Colt as a whole.

36on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 1993 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987

What usually goes wrong with a 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

Common Mitsubishi Colt MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008.

    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 ends

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Headlight aim

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes

    up to 5.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Coil springs

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    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.

Diesel

  • Track rod ends

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2008.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

Mitsubishi Colt MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2013 Mitsubishi Colt did best (68% passed first time, 1 point above all 2013 cars) and the 2008 did worst (51%, 6 points below all 2008 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201368%67% +11,516
201263%64% -14,309
201163%62% +14,837
201058%60% -27,539
200954%59% -511,161
200851%57% -612,099
200751%57% -610,260
200651%56% -57,783
200552%57% -55,504
200449%57% -81,179
200359%57% +2119 (small sample)
200260%58% +2211 (small sample)
200053%61% -8154 (small sample)
199959%63% -4145 (small sample)
199850%65% -15165 (small sample)
199755%65% -10122 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 Mitsubishi Colt as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 17.5× as often on the Mitsubishi Colt as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score