2011 Mitsubishi Colt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,404 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Mitsubishi Colt, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility. Its pass rate of 79.8% was above the average for cars of a similar age (78.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.7% in the 150k+ group versus 9.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 1,513 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.5% | 779 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.7% | 595 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.0% | 524 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.3% | 452 |
| 6 | Brakes | 4.1% | 423 |
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 | 665 |
| 2 | Wipers | 532 |
| 3 | Joints | 391 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 353 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 347 |
| 6 | Individual direction indicators | 285 |
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 | 27.1% | 2,817 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.9% | 2,484 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.1% | 1,881 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.7% | 801 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 652 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.8% | 599 |
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 | 815 | 9.8% |
| 30-60k | 3,463 | 16.0% |
| 60-90k | 3,672 | 22.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,794 | 25.3% |
| 120-150k | 493 | 29.6% |
| 150k+ | 167 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,164 | 17.9% |
| 2022 | 2,166 | 19.5% |
| 2023 | 2,093 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 2,023 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 1,958 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Colt
Before buying a 2011 Mitsubishi Colt, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.5% 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 2011 Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT?
79.8% of the 10,404 2011 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mitsubishi Colt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by suspension (7.5%).
Does the 2011 Colt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.8% in the 0-30k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,404 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.