Mitsubishi Colt (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 128 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,183

£182/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1298cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2,183/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Petrol1298cc29 years old128 tests78k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1298cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,183

Per month£182/mo

Per week£42/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mitsubishi brand average of 80%.

71% of MOT tests on Mitsubishi Colts from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 128 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 77,861 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models224th of 306(bottom half)

Rank among Mitsubishi models305th of 390(bottom 23%)

vs average of all models-11%(82% avg)

vs 1997 models average-4%(75% avg)

vs Mitsubishi average-9%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

77,861

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Mitsubishi Colt had 77,861 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2013 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 83%, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1997 scores 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Mitsubishi Colt by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2013	83%	860	66,024 mi
2012	80%	2,450	69,102 mi
2011	79%	2,684	76,628 mi
2010	75%	4,375	80,694 mi
2009	72%	6,961	83,817 mi
2008	70%	7,859	86,756 mi
2007	71%	6,387	90,616 mi
2006	71%	4,923	92,982 mi
2005	69%	3,589	96,004 mi
2004	69%	707	95,647 mi
2003	62%	73	83,879 mi
2002	74%	115	75,553 mi
2001	72%	53	71,977 mi
2000	73%	89	71,639 mi
1999	65%	141	70,385 mi
1998	67%	308	87,244 mi
1997	71%	128	77,861 mi
1996	65%	101	83,131 mi
1995	67%	30	83,382 mi
1991	61%	36	92,792 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+2%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

same

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+18%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-1%

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About the 1997 Mitsubishi Colt

The 1997 Mitsubishi Colt is a small family car. Our records list a 1298cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 128 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 77,861 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mitsubishi Colt owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1997 Mitsubishi Colt Fuel Costs

The 1298cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 Mitsubishi Colt?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,183 (£182/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Mitsubishi Colt Reliability Trend

Newer Mitsubishi Colts pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 7 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 1997 Mitsubishi Colt

At 29 years old, the Mitsubishi Colt is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2013 model has the highest pass rate at 83%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 Mitsubishi Colt stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mitsubishi Colt(1997)	71%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£145
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£378
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£373
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1997 Mitsubishi Colt

Is the 1997 Mitsubishi Colt reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of MOT tests on 1997 Mitsubishi Colts ended in a pass, from 128 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Mitsubishi Colt cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,183 a year (£182 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Mitsubishi Colt?

71% of 128 MOT tests on the 1997 Mitsubishi Colt ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 224th of 306 models first registered in 1997 (bottom half).

Which year Mitsubishi Colt has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2013 Mitsubishi Colt has the highest MOT pass rate at 83% and the 1996 the lowest at 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Mitsubishi Colt?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Mitsubishi Colt is 77,861 miles, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.