2008 Mitsubishi Colt MOT pass rate: 61.2% (12,010 tests)
Is the 2008 Colt getting worse?
Pass rate of 2008-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 62.5% -2.8 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 60.6% -4.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 60.2% -4.9 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2008 Colt
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3,680 | 24.3% |
| 2 | Suspension | 2,941 | 19.4% |
| 3 | Body, chassis, structure | 2,017 | 13.3% |
| 4 | Brakes | 1,713 | 11.3% |
| 5 | Tyres | 1,204 | 8.0% |
| 6 | Visibility | 1,011 | 6.7% |
All Colt years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5,466 | 62.1% | -2.4 pts | 90,276 |
| 2006 | 7,740 | 61.8% | -2.6 pts | 88,152 |
| 2007 | 10,180 | 61.5% | -3.6 pts | 86,349 |
| 2008 (this page) | 12,010 | 61.2% | -3.9 pts | 81,984 |
| 2009 | 11,117 | 64.6% | -1.8 pts | 78,740 |
| 2010 | 7,517 | 67.6% | +0.2 pts | 76,171 |
| 2011 | 4,823 | 73.6% | +4.5 pts | 70,200 |
| 2012 | 4,292 | 74.3% | +3.1 pts | 64,239 |
| 2013 | 1,512 | 78.4% | +5.0 pts | 59,620 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2008 Mitsubishi Colt reliable?
2008-registered examples passed 61.2% of their MOT tests (12,010 tests, 2023–2025), -3.9 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 18 years old with a median 81,984 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2008 Colt?
The median tested example shows 81,984 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2008 Colt?
In this cohort petrols pass 61.9% of tests against 57.2% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.