Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

23% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,631 vehicles, the 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar has a first-time MOT pass rate of 67.9%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar (1999)

1,631 real MOT outcomes analysed • 67.9% first-time pass rate

1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar

CarHunch analysed 1,631 real MOT records for the 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

This 1999 Colt Spacestar is a below-average MOT performer, with a first-time pass rate of 67.9% against the UK average of 80%—a meaningful 12-point gap that suggests reliability issues are common in this generation. More concerning, nearly one in four of these cars (22.6%) have recorded a dangerous defect during their MOT history, which is well above acceptable levels for a buyer considering one.

At 78,500 miles median mileage, these vehicles have covered a reasonable distance for their age, yet they're averaging nearly 3.8 failures per test—pointing to systemic wear on cooling, suspension, and exhaust components rather than isolated problems. Before purchasing, get a pre-sale inspection that specifically checks the cooling system, brake condition, and suspension geometry, as these are where Spacestar owners face repeated costly repairs.

The 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar has a below-average first-time pass rate (67.9% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

67.9%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

22.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.76

Over 11.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

79k

Middle half: 64k–94k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 12.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,631 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,631 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar cars.

Before you buy a 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar

Based on MOT data from 1,631 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 22.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	1,621	67.9%	3.75

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,268 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 34.3%

777

Red 23.4%

531

Silver 22.4%

507

Green 13.1%

298

White 5.9%

133

Grey 0.5%

Black 0.5%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

78,533

typical

63,723

low mileage

93,550

high mileage

Half of all 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar vehicles fall between 63,723 and 93,550 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 63,723 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 63,723–93,550 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestars sit.

⚠ Over 126,292 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 6% of 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Spacestars are still active.

Numbers are declining — 31 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (6% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.76

Avg failures per vehicle

12.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mitsubishi Colt Spacestar: All Colt Spacestar years → Which year to buy? →

2000 2001

Or browse all models: Mitsubishi →

Compare with another model

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Buyer beware — pass it on