2002 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Mitsubishi Colt passed 72.8% of its 508 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail 29.4% of the time, so this is 2.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.2%) and suspension (12.8%) 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 exhaust system — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 105 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2002 Colt fails 21.4% of the time in the 30-60k band and 21.1% at 120-150k, a spread of only 0.4 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.6% in 2021 to 24.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 72 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.8% | 65 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 47 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.1% | 46 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.1% | 41 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.5% | 38 |
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 | 105 |
| 2 | Wipers | 31 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 27 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 24 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 22 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
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 | 36.6% | 186 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.9% | 162 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.4% | 134 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.8% | 121 |
| 5 | Other defects | 20.3% | 103 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 70 |
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 | 168 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 157 | 33.8% |
| 90-120k | 119 | 30.3% |
| 120-150k | 38 | 21.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 127 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 114 | 26.3% |
| 2023 | 111 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 82 | 24.4% |
| 2025 | 74 | 24.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Colt
On a 2002 Colt, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.8% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.3% 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 2002 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 508 2002 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mitsubishi Colt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by suspension (12.8%).
Does the 2002 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.4% in the 30-60k band to 21.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 508 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.