2004 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,257 MOT tests, the 2004 Mitsubishi Colt recorded a 71.3% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail at 29.2%, so the 2004 Colt sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 23.9% of all tests — 8.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 496 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 33.5% versus 9.8%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.9% | 779 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.2% | 494 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.2% | 267 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.3% | 239 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 201 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.5% | 180 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 496 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 354 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 196 |
| 4 | Wipers | 181 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 177 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 161 |
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 | 37.8% | 1,230 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.6% | 998 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 27.5% | 895 |
| 4 | Brakes | 23.0% | 750 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.8% | 449 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.2% | 431 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 82 | 9.8% |
| 30-60k | 474 | 23.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,022 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,056 | 31.4% |
| 120-150k | 465 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 158 | 33.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,962 | 28.7% |
| Diesel | 295 | 28.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 917 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 763 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 661 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 511 | 30.7% |
| 2025 | 405 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Colt
On a 2004 Colt, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 23.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (23.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.2% 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.
- Brakes (8.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2004 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 3,257 2004 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mitsubishi Colt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.9% of tests, followed by suspension (15.2%).
Does the 2004 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.8% in the 0-30k band to 33.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,257 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.