MITSUBISHI COLT (2008)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 7,859 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,675
£140/month
MOT Pass Rate
70%
Average
Road Tax
£165
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 5-15
1124cc Petrol
Check Carefully
70% pass rate, £1675/year to run. 12 points below average.
Check a specific MITSUBISHI COLT
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Based on 1124cc
Higher estimate due to low pass rate
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
Get an insurance quote for this MITSUBISHI COLT
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MITSUBISHI brand average of 80%.
At 18 years old, 70% of MITSUBISHI COLTs from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 7,859 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 86,756 miles.
Got a MITSUBISHI COLT you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
86,756
Average miles
133,200
Expected for age
The average 2008 MITSUBISHI COLT has 86,756 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Looking at a specific MITSUBISHI COLT?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
Best Year to Buy?
The most reliable year is the 2013 model with a 83% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 62%. The 2008 sits between the two at 70%.
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
Check a Specific Mitsubishi Colt
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 2008 MITSUBISHI COLT
The 2008 MITSUBISHI COLT is a city car with a 1124cc petrol engine. 7,859 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 76% of 2008 cars for MOT pass rates.
With an average of 86,756 miles at 18 years old, MITSUBISHI COLT owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2008 MITSUBISHI COLT Fuel Costs
The modest 1124cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2008 MITSUBISHI COLT?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,675 (£140/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.
MITSUBISHI COLT Reliability Trend
Newer MITSUBISHI COLTs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2008 MITSUBISHI COLT
At 18 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%. With 7,859 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2008 MITSUBISHI COLT's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 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 outRubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.
Clutch Wear
Medium riskWith an average of 87k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.
Brake Discs and Pads
Medium riskHigh-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2008 MITSUBISHI COLT stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MITSUBISHI COLT(2008) | 70% | £955 | £165 | Grp 5-15 | £1675 |
| FORD FIESTA(2008) | 72% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722+£47 |
| FORD FOCUS(2009) | 74% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1827+£152 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2010) | 74% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722+£47 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2010) | 67% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £2027+£352 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Related Mitsubishi Models
Explore other Mitsubishi cars or similar models in the same category.
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER
2015 · 1998cc Hybrid
MITSUBISHI L200
2017 · 2442cc Diesel
MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
2018 · 1400cc Petrol
FORD FIESTA
2008 · 1388cc Petrol
FORD FOCUS
2009 · 1596cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2010 · 1398cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Mitsubishi Colt.
Cheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Insure in the UK: Insurance Groups 1-10
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in the UK: A Complete Cost Breakdown
11 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Problems: 7 Issues Owners Report (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific MITSUBISHI COLT
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a MITSUBISHI COLT? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data