Mitsubishi Colt (1999)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 141 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,383

£199/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1298cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2,383/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Petrol1298cc27 years old141 tests70k 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

£700

Total per year£2,383

Per month£199/mo

Per week£46/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

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mitsubishi brand average of 80%.

65% of MOT tests on Mitsubishi Colts from 1999 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 25 years old. That's based on 141 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 70,385 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 models329th of 361(bottom 10%)

Rank among Mitsubishi models358th of 390(bottom 9%)

vs average of all models-17%(82% avg)

vs 1999 models average-10%(75% avg)

vs Mitsubishi average-15%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

70,385

Average miles

185,000

Expected for age

The average 1999 Mitsubishi Colt had 70,385 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-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 1999 scores 65%. 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

Toyota Yaris

2001 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+6%

Ford Focus

2001 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,428/year

68%

+3%

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+8%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

+6%

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About the 1999 Mitsubishi Colt

The 1999 Mitsubishi Colt is a small family car. Our records list a 1298cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 141 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 10% of 1999 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 70,385 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.

1999 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 1999 Mitsubishi Colt?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,383 (£199/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 65% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

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 1999 Mitsubishi Colt

At 27 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 65% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 1999 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(1999)	65%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,383
Toyota Yaris(2001)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£230
Ford Focus(2001)	68%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428+£45
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£55
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£178

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 1999 Mitsubishi Colt

Is the 1999 Mitsubishi Colt reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 65% of MOT tests on 1999 Mitsubishi Colts ended in a pass, from 141 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1999 Mitsubishi Colt cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,383 a year (£199 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Mitsubishi Colt?

65% of 141 MOT tests on the 1999 Mitsubishi Colt ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 329th of 361 models first registered in 1999 (bottom 10%).

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 1999 Mitsubishi Colt?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1999 Mitsubishi Colt is 70,385 miles, which is significantly below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.