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Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Colt (2010)

3,450 real MOT outcomes analysed • 78.3% first-time pass rate

2010 Mitsubishi Colt

CarHunch analysed 3,450 real MOT records for the 2010 Mitsubishi Colt. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2010 Mitsubishi Colt falls marginally below the UK average with a 78.3% first-time pass rate versus 80%, which is a modest weakness—but the real concern is that 44.6% of these cars have experienced a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd want to see. This suggests underlying reliability issues that go beyond routine wear.

At just over 51,600 miles median, these cars are running relatively low mileage for their age, yet they're still racking up an average of 3.43 failures and 15.7 advisories per test, indicating that even lightly-used examples develop problems. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on brake and suspension components, since the high dangerous-defect rate points to safety-critical systems being vulnerable on this generation.

The 2010 Mitsubishi Colt has a decent first-time pass rate (78.3%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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
78.3%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
44.6%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
3.43
Over 14.7 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
52k
Middle half: 36k–68k
For context
🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 15.7 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 3,450 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 3,450 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 52.6%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Tyre wear 44.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Suspension & steering 22.2%
Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Lighting 15.6%
Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.
Other issues 15.6%
Oil leak, but not excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2010.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 3,450 Mitsubishi Colt cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2010 Mitsubishi Colt

Based on MOT data from 3,450 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 44.6% 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 ClickMechanic →
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (100%) 3,442 78.3% 3.43

Colour Breakdown

Based on 68,750 Mitsubishi Colt vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 25.1%
17,289
Silver 19.8%
13,642
Black 18.1%
12,444
Red 17.4%
11,964
Grey 7.5%
5,167
White 6.7%
4,576
Green 4.3%
2,970
Orange 0.7%
472
Gold 0.1%
100
Purple 0.1%
53
Brown 0.1%
53
Yellow 0%
20

Mileage Distribution

Most 2010 Mitsubishi Colt 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.

51,644
typical
36,348
low mileage
67,839
high mileage

Half of all 2010 Mitsubishi Colt vehicles fall between 36,348 and 67,839 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
✓ Under 36,348 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.
✓ 36,348–67,839 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2010 Mitsubishi Colts sit.
⚠ Over 91,582 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2010 Mitsubishi Colt — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 69% of 2010 Mitsubishi Colts are still active.

2,275 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 69% of the peak remain.

3,294 2,275 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* 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

14.7
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
3.43
Avg failures per vehicle
15.7
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Mitsubishi Colt: All Colt years → Which year to buy? →
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013

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Watch for defects — worth knowing