1999 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 321 MOT tests, the 1999 Mitsubishi Colt recorded a 67.9% pass rate. That is 2.7 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.4%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 16.5% of all tests — 5.9 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, wipers and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 53 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 43.1% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.6% in 2021 to 26.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.5% | 53 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 34 |
| 3 | Visibility | 10.3% | 33 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.0% | 29 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 28 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 21 |
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 | 53 |
| 2 | Wipers | 25 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 23 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 17 |
| 5 | Washers | 15 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 15 |
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 | 37.1% | 119 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.1% | 103 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.0% | 90 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.6% | 66 |
| 5 | Other defects | 20.3% | 65 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 58 |
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 | 108 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 120 | 33.3% |
| 90-120k | 65 | 43.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 107 | 33.6% |
| 2022 | 81 | 37.0% |
| 2023 | 59 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 44 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 30 | 26.7% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Colt
On a 1999 Colt, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (16.5% 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 (10.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (10.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 1999 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
67.9% of the 321 1999 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Mitsubishi Colt?
Suspension, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.6%).
Does the 1999 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.1% in the 30-60k band to 43.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 321 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.