Diesel Mitsubishi Colt: MOT pass rate

57.5% of diesel Mitsubishi Colts pass the MOT first time, measured across 1,629 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 103,188.

Diesel against the other Mitsubishi Colt versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Mitsubishi Colt specifically, petrol is the strongest at 65.1%, and this diesel version sits 7.1 points below the 64.6% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The diesel Mitsubishi Colt fails more often than the model average, so budget for the items that catch this fuel type and treat a fresh MOT as worth paying for. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Mitsubishi Colt had covered 103,188 miles at test, against 83,047 for the petrol. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Mitsubishi Colt page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Mitsubishi Colt

1. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 8.3% of tests (8.8x the national rate for this defect)
2. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 12% of tests (7.84x the national rate for this defect)
3. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 3.8% of tests (6.41x the national rate for this defect)
4. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 6.2% of tests (4.72x the national rate for this defect)
5. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 10% of tests (4.24x the national rate for this defect)
6. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 3% of tests (4.05x the national rate for this defect)
7. A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, 3.4% of tests (3.79x the national rate for this defect)
8. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 7.8% of tests (3.4x the national rate for this defect)
9. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 7.1% of tests (3.18x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 5.6% of tests (3.05x the national rate for this defect)

From 1,624 DVSA-tracked diesel Mitsubishi Colt tests, 2024, split out from the Mitsubishi Colt's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.4% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Mitsubishi Colt

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 9.4% of tests (6.21x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 7.8% of tests (5.66x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 24.7% of tests (5.22x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 4.6% of tests (3.66x the national rate for this defect)
5. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 4.6% of tests (3.46x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 6.8% of tests (2.58x the national rate for this defect)
7. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 6.2% of tests (2.19x the national rate for this defect)
8. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 8.2% of tests (2.09x the national rate for this defect)
9. A tyre seriously damaged, 23.9% of tests (1.55x the national rate for this defect)
10. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 7.6% of tests (1.36x the national rate for this defect)

From 1,624 DVSA-tracked diesel Mitsubishi Colt tests, 2024.

Other Mitsubishi Colt fuel types

• Petrol Mitsubishi Colt - 65.1%

All Mitsubishi Colt MOT data · Every model