2008 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Mitsubishi Colt passed 72.1% of its 30,399 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail at 27.0%, so the 2008 Colt sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.1% of all tests — 7.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and wipers — joints alone was recorded 2,658 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.5% versus 15.1%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.1pp more often than petrol ones (29.7% vs 27.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 5,505 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.1% | 3,363 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 3,047 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.0% | 2,140 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.2% | 1,875 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.9% | 1,791 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 2,658 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 2,340 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,876 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,828 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 1,490 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 1,244 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 28.9% | 8,790 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.5% | 8,655 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.7% | 6,605 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 4,538 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 3,816 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.4% | 2,855 |
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 | 951 | 15.1% |
| 30-60k | 6,496 | 22.6% |
| 60-90k | 11,481 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 7,862 | 31.2% |
| 120-150k | 2,741 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 859 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 25,774 | 27.6% |
| Diesel | 4,622 | 29.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,337 | 25.7% |
| 2022 | 6,810 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 6,192 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 5,487 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 4,573 | 29.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Colt
On a 2008 Colt, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.1% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.0% 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 2008 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 30,399 2008 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mitsubishi Colt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by suspension (11.1%).
Does the 2008 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.1% in the 0-30k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 30,399 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.