2000 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
397 MOT tests on the 2000 Mitsubishi Colt are in this dataset, and 68.5% of them passed. That is 2.1 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.4%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.6%) and lighting & signalling (12.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 63 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 28.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 34.2% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 29.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.6% | 54 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 50 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.1% | 44 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.1% | 40 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.8% | 31 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.6% | 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 | 63 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 47 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 29 |
| 4 | Wipers | 28 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 28 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 24 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.5% | 121 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.0% | 119 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.5% | 117 |
| 4 | Other defects | 29.2% | 116 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.4% | 69 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 63 |
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 | 131 | 28.2% |
| 60-90k | 144 | 34.0% |
| 90-120k | 82 | 34.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 131 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 95 | 35.8% |
| 2023 | 70 | 31.4% |
| 2024 | 54 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 47 | 34.0% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Colt
On a 2000 Colt, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2000 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 397 2000 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Mitsubishi Colt?
Suspension, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.6%).
Does the 2000 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.2% in the 30-60k band to 34.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 397 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.