2007 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 26,715 MOT tests, the 2007 Mitsubishi Colt recorded a 71.9% pass rate. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests against 12.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 2,362 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 36.0% versus 15.1%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 27.9% of the time against 28.8% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 30.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 5,072 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.3% | 3,299 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.5% | 2,281 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.4% | 1,991 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.5% | 1,738 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.3% | 1,696 |
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 | 2,362 |
| 2 | Joints | 1,744 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,710 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,683 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 1,307 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 1,139 |
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 | 30.7% | 8,209 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.3% | 7,826 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.3% | 5,678 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 4,450 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 2,995 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.8% | 2,888 |
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 | 742 | 15.1% |
| 30-60k | 4,769 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 9,251 | 27.4% |
| 90-120k | 7,793 | 31.1% |
| 120-150k | 3,148 | 33.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,003 | 36.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 21,995 | 27.9% |
| Diesel | 4,720 | 28.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,882 | 27.0% |
| 2022 | 6,125 | 27.3% |
| 2023 | 5,478 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 4,510 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 3,720 | 29.7% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Colt
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.3% 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 (8.5% 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 2007 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 26,715 2007 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mitsubishi Colt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests, followed by suspension (12.3%).
Does the 2007 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.1% in the 0-30k band to 36.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 26,715 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.