2009 Mitsubishi Colt 1.5L Petrol · KR09 OBJ

This Colt presents an unusual and somewhat conflicted profile: a heavily modified track-oriented car carrying a persistent underbody corrosion record. The 2023 test confirmed the extent of the conversion, with rear seats and belts removed, a roll cage fitted, race seats with harnesses up front, and the suspension lowered to race specification. Beneath that, the corrosion story runs deep: surface corrosion on the front subframe, suspension components, front crossmember, boot floor, rear axle, inner rear sills, rear chassis and springs was flagged in both 2020 and 2021, alongside perished front swivel rubbers and severely deteriorated front lower arm ball joint dust covers that recurred in 2021 and 2022. The latest test on 1 October 2024 ended in a pass, but only after an initial failure the same day for an ineffective wiper and a dead nearside front position lamp, with both headlamp lenses again noted as slightly defective, an issue first recorded back in 2019. The overall trend is one of small recurring defects being rectified to secure passes, while the underlying corrosion advisories have quietly dropped off the record after 2022 rather than being confirmed as repaired. Recorded mileage stands at 90,462 miles over roughly seventeen years, averaging about 5,300 miles per year, which is low for the age. The annual test rhythm has been consistent with no significant gaps, so the car appears to have remained in regular use rather than standing for extended periods. However, low annual mileage on a car converted to race specification should not be read as gentle use; track or spirited driving places disproportionate loads on suspension joints, drivetrain components and braking systems relative to the distance covered. The 2020 failure for a split nearside front outer CV boot, allowing dirt ingress into the joint, is consistent with exactly that kind of hard use, and a split boot left unattended quickly destroys the joint itself. A prospective buyer should treat the corrosion history as the central inspection priority. The 2020 and 2021 advisories named the front subframe, inner rear sills, rear axle, boot floor and rear chassis, and surface corrosion on these areas can progress to structural significance on a car of this age. Inspect the inner rear sills and boot floor closely for bubbling paint, flaking metal or evidence of recent underseal applied to mask deterioration, and check whether the front subframe shows scaling or thinning metal rather than superficial discolouration. The corroded rear coil springs noted in 2021 and 2022 warrant particular attention, as a weakened spring can fracture without warning; look for uneven ride height at the rear and listen for a metallic snap or rattle over bumps. On the test drive, the modified suspension and recurring front-end wear items deserve close scrutiny. With the car lowered to race specification, expect a firm ride, but listen specifically for knocks or clonks from the front over uneven surfaces, which would point to worn lower arm ball joints whose dust covers were repeatedly flagged as severely deteriorated, or to tired swivel components. Check for a rhythmic clicking on full lock at low speed, the classic symptom of a CV joint damaged by the previously split boot, and feel for any steering pull or vagueness that could indicate worn joints or alignment disturbed by the lowering. Confirm the headlamp lenses, noted as defective across 2019 and 2024, still allow an adequate beam pattern, verify all lamps and wipers function given the most recent failure items, and ensure the harnesses, cage and seat mountings are securely installed. Given the modifications, the buyer should also confirm the insurer will cover the car as configured before committing.