Model reliability

Mitsubishi Colt reliability

The Mitsubishi Colt fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 44.7% of 25,171 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.

6 to 10 years old

28.7% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 529 MOT tests of Mitsubishi Colts this age. A small sample, so take it as a rough guide: a few cars either way can move these figures.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 3× as oftenWipers5.5% vs 1.8%

Fails 34% more oftenTyre condition4.7% vs 3.5%Fix about £90

Fails 3× as oftenPosition lamps4.5% vs 1.5%Fix about £30

Fails 4× as oftenAnti-roll bars3.6% vs 1%

Advised 45% more oftenTyre condition14.9% vs 10.3%Fix about £90

Advised 4× as oftenAnti-roll bars6.2% vs 1.5%

Advised 3× as oftenSprings4.7% vs 1.5%Fix about £150

Over 10 years old

44.7% failed their MOT

About average

From 25,171 MOT tests of Mitsubishi Colts this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 41% more oftenHeadlamp aim7.6% vs 5.4%Fix about £30

Fails 40% more oftenPosition lamps7.4% vs 5.3%Fix about £30

Fails 2× as oftenTransmission6.3% vs 2.6%

Fails 2× as oftenWipers5.9% vs 2.6%

Advised 52% more oftenTyre condition15.8% vs 10.4%Fix about £90

Advised 70% more oftenSprings10.7% vs 6.3%Fix about £150

Advised 3× as oftenSteering linkage components7.2% vs 2.8%

Advised 32% more oftenHeadlamps4.9% vs 3.7%Fix about £30

Safety recalls

7 DVSA recalls for the Mitsubishi Colt

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2021/24025 Jul 2021Built 1996–2000The air bag inflator might have a different air bag deployment performance than designed providing less protection

The airbag inflator might have a different airbag deployment performance than designed providing less protection.

Fix: The driver side frontal airbag will be replaced with an alternate inflator.

Recalled models: COLT · 19,699 vehicles

R/2015/15821 Sept 2015Built 2011–2012Eps system may malfunction

A connector pin for the electronic power steering may not be to specification. This will lead to increased resistance in the circuit causing the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) to stop working. The steering will still function in manual mode requiring increased input from the driver. The EPS warning lamp may illuminate temporarily.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the EPS Gear and Link assembly.

Recalled models: COLT · 2,790 vehicles

R/2012/01619 Jan 2012Fuel may leak

It is possible that air has been trapped within the fuel pump mounting cap mouldings which could lead to the cap cracking and fuel vapour and/or fuel might leak from the tank.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the fuel pump mounting cap.

Recalled models: COLT · 64 vehicles

R/2001/16812 Mar 2002Built 1999–2000Engine crankshaft pulley concern

The crankshaft pulley may become loose causing a rattling noise from the engine battery warning light to come on and a high steering effort will be noticed.

Fix: All recalled vehicles will have the crankshaft pulley bolt tightened to the correct specified torque.

Recalled models: COLT · 1,687 vehicles

R/2000/0836 Nov 2000Built 1996–1999Potential detachment of crankshaft pulley

The Crankshaft Pulley securing bolt may not have been correctly torqued. The bolt may loosen or break and in the worst case result in detachment of the pulley.

Fix: All engines up to engine number YD2145 - remove pulley securing bolt increase the depth of the thread in the Crankshaft by 5 mm. Check bolt for damage and renew if necessary. Lubricate threads refit and tighten to specified torque. Engines numbered from YD2146 onwards - remove pulley securing bolt examine for damage and renew if necessary lubricate threads refit and tighten to specified torque.

Recalled models: COLT · 4,246 vehicles

R/1997/0741 Nov 1997Built 1997Loss of braking system vacuum assistance

The brake booster vacuum hose check valve may stick and cause a loss of vacuum to the brake booster. This will result in greatly increased brake pedal effort and increased stopping distances.

Fix: The affected vehicles are being recalled to have the brake booster vacuum hose replaced with a quality assured unit.

Recalled models: COLT · 218 vehicles

R/1994/07314 Nov 1994Built 1992–1994Front brake hoses may have been incorrectly installed during assembly

It is possible that installation of the front brake hoses has not been correctly carried out during initial assembly.

Fix: Recall the affected vehicles for the fitment of replacement brake hoses.

Recalled models: COLT · 169 vehicles

Show all 7 recalls

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Mitsubishi Colt before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Mitsubishi Colt reliability

7 DVSA recalls for the Mitsubishi Colt

Checking a Mitsubishi Colt before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.