1998 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Mitsubishi Colt passed 71.2% of its 389 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (29.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests against 11.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and chassis condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 65 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 36.7% once past 90-120k — 2.1× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 66 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.6% | 45 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.5% | 37 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 35 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.5% | 33 |
| 6 | Brakes | 6.7% | 26 |
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 | 65 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 42 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 34 |
| 4 | Wipers | 34 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 22 |
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 | 35.0% | 136 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.0% | 109 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.4% | 91 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.6% | 88 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.8% | 73 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 51 |
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 | 93 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 137 | 30.7% |
| 90-120k | 98 | 36.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84 | 23.8% |
| 2022 | 93 | 25.8% |
| 2023 | 90 | 34.4% |
| 2024 | 74 | 32.4% |
| 2025 | 48 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Colt
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.6% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (9.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 1998 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
71.2% of the 389 1998 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Mitsubishi Colt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by suspension (11.6%).
Does the 1998 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.2% in the 30-60k band to 36.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 389 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.