2005 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Mitsubishi Colt passed 71.3% of its 15,073 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (28.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.4% of tests against 14.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,949 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.8% in the 0-30k band and 34.0% in the 150k+ band, a 20.2-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 28.6% of the time against 29.6% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.4% | 3,219 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.1% | 2,122 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.2% | 1,230 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.9% | 1,189 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.9% | 884 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 837 |
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 | 1,949 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,095 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,010 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 885 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 768 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 680 |
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 | 35.2% | 5,304 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.7% | 4,483 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.3% | 3,667 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 24.2% | 3,641 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.7% | 1,765 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.3% | 1,704 |
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 | 334 | 13.8% |
| 30-60k | 2,125 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 4,985 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 4,695 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 2,168 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 760 | 34.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 13,610 | 28.6% |
| Diesel | 1,456 | 29.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,198 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 3,541 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 2,924 | 28.0% |
| 2024 | 2,471 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 1,939 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Colt
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.1% 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 2005 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 15,073 2005 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mitsubishi Colt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.4% of tests, followed by suspension (14.1%).
Does the 2005 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 0-30k band to 34.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,073 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.