2012 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,088 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Mitsubishi Colt, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility. Its pass rate of 81.1% was above the average for cars of a similar age (79.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 27.5% in the 150k+ group versus 11.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 1,201 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.1% | 554 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.7% | 518 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.6% | 513 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 430 |
| 6 | Brakes | 3.2% | 290 |
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 | 520 |
| 2 | Wipers | 486 |
| 3 | Joints | 413 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 311 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 278 |
| 6 | Individual direction indicators | 274 |
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 | 26.7% | 2,428 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.1% | 1,830 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.0% | 1,450 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.0% | 636 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.9% | 446 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 415 |
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 | 957 | 11.8% |
| 30-60k | 3,556 | 16.3% |
| 60-90k | 3,014 | 20.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,172 | 25.4% |
| 120-150k | 285 | 26.7% |
| 150k+ | 102 | 27.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,871 | 16.0% |
| 2022 | 1,840 | 16.9% |
| 2023 | 1,842 | 19.5% |
| 2024 | 1,818 | 20.7% |
| 2025 | 1,717 | 21.4% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Colt
Before buying a 2012 Mitsubishi Colt, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.1% 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.
- Visibility (5.7% 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 2012 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
81.1% of the 9,088 2012 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mitsubishi Colt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by suspension (6.1%).
Does the 2012 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.8% in the 0-30k band to 27.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,088 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.