2001 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 287 MOT tests, the 2001 Mitsubishi Colt recorded a 66.9% pass rate. That is 3.6 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.5%) and suspension (15.7%) 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, wipers and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 46 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 29.1% in the 30-60k band and 43.2% in the 120-150k band, a 14.2-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 38.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.0% in 2021 to 30.8% in 2024, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 53 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.7% | 45 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 35 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.2% | 32 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.4% | 24 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.3% | 18 |
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 | 46 |
| 2 | Wipers | 21 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 20 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 17 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 16 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 16 |
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 | 38.7% | 111 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.1% | 95 |
| 3 | Other defects | 25.1% | 72 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.7% | 65 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.2% | 58 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 53 |
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 | 55 | 29.1% |
| 60-90k | 116 | 36.2% |
| 90-120k | 41 | 39.0% |
| 120-150k | 37 | 43.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 106 | 34.0% |
| 2022 | 70 | 34.3% |
| 2023 | 45 | 31.1% |
| 2024 | 39 | 30.8% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Colt
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.7% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.2% 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 2001 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
66.9% of the 287 2001 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mitsubishi Colt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.5% of tests, followed by suspension (15.7%).
Does the 2001 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.1% in the 30-60k band to 43.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 287 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.