1997 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1997 Mitsubishi Colt passed 68.0% of its 322 recorded MOT tests. Against superminis of a similar age (29.0% fail rate), the 1997 Colt comes out 3.0pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 16.8% of all tests — 3.4 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 77 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 27.0% in the 30-60k band and 45.2% in the 120-150k band, a 18.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.4% in 2021 to 31.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.8% | 54 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 43 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 25 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.4% | 24 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 23 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.8% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 77 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 22 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 20 |
| 5 | Washers | 16 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 13 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 38.8% | 125 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.6% | 118 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.3% | 75 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.5% | 66 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.0% | 42 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.0% | 42 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 100 | 27.0% |
| 60-90k | 88 | 33.0% |
| 90-120k | 73 | 31.5% |
| 120-150k | 42 | 45.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90 | 34.4% |
| 2022 | 76 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 58 | 31.0% |
| 2024 | 51 | 31.4% |
| 2025 | 47 | 31.9% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Colt
On a 1997 Colt, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (16.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1997 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
68.0% of the 322 1997 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Mitsubishi Colt?
Suspension, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.4%).
Does the 1997 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.0% in the 30-60k band to 45.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 322 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.