2010 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2010 Mitsubishi Colt passed 76.6% of its 16,835 recorded MOT tests. Against superminis of a similar age (25.1% fail rate), the 2010 Colt comes out 1.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests against 9.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, wipers and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 1,253 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.9% in the 0-30k band and 35.2% in the 150k+ band, a 23.3-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 27.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 21.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 2,769 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.6% | 1,615 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.1% | 1,029 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 1,010 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.6% | 944 |
| 6 | Brakes | 4.3% | 715 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,253 |
| 2 | Wipers | 962 |
| 3 | Joints | 848 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 712 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 610 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 575 |
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 | 27.6% | 4,654 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.4% | 4,619 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.9% | 3,018 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 1,604 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.4% | 1,413 |
| 6 | Steering | 7.8% | 1,309 |
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 | 1,012 | 11.9% |
| 30-60k | 4,426 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 6,277 | 24.5% |
| 90-120k | 3,616 | 27.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,124 | 30.2% |
| 150k+ | 375 | 35.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 16,795 | 23.4% |
| Diesel | 40 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,571 | 21.2% |
| 2022 | 3,452 | 21.4% |
| 2023 | 3,467 | 23.8% |
| 2024 | 3,258 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 3,087 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Colt
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.6% 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.
- Visibility (6.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2010 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 16,835 2010 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Mitsubishi Colt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by suspension (9.6%).
Does the 2010 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 0-30k band to 35.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,835 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.