2006 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
20,491 MOT tests on the 2006 Mitsubishi Colt are in this dataset, and 72.4% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail at 28.4%, so the 2006 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 20.5% of all tests — 8.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 2,398 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.1% versus 14.5%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.4pp more often than petrol ones (30.7% vs 27.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.5% | 4,193 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.2% | 2,490 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.4% | 1,726 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.0% | 1,632 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.8% | 1,186 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 1,151 |
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 | 2,398 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,446 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,377 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,208 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 875 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 787 |
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 | 33.9% | 6,938 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.9% | 6,122 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.6% | 4,829 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.8% | 4,268 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.5% | 2,354 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 2,118 |
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 | 462 | 14.5% |
| 30-60k | 3,088 | 19.8% |
| 60-90k | 7,159 | 26.4% |
| 90-120k | 6,151 | 30.5% |
| 120-150k | 2,766 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 862 | 34.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 18,492 | 27.3% |
| Diesel | 1,995 | 30.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,335 | 25.7% |
| 2022 | 4,773 | 27.3% |
| 2023 | 4,185 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 3,420 | 28.7% |
| 2025 | 2,778 | 29.2% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Colt
On a 2006 Colt, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.2% 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 (8.4% 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 2006 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 20,491 2006 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mitsubishi Colt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.5% of tests, followed by suspension (12.2%).
Does the 2006 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.5% in the 0-30k band to 34.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 20,491 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.