2008 Mitsubishi Colt 1.1L Petrol · OV08 VNZ

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile characterized by a worsening trend of reactive maintenance rather than preventative care. The most recent recorded test in September 2023 at 120,495 miles resulted in a significant failure involving multiple defects across braking, suspension, and tyre systems. While the car passed in 2022, the sheer volume of failures in late 2023 suggests that mechanical components are only addressed once they reach the point of legal failure. At 120,495 miles, this 18-year-old Mitsubishi Colt has averaged approximately 6,700 miles per year, which is consistent with typical low-use patterns. However, the data shows a notable gap in testing between July 2021 and September 2022, where the vehicle covered over 4,000 miles. The lack of an MOT record since September 2023 indicates the vehicle has been on the road for nearly three years without official certification, increasing the risk of undetected perished rubber components or hidden corrosion despite the relatively low annual mileage. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the suspension geometry, as the history shows recurring issues with ball joint dust covers and a serious fluid leak on the nearside rear shock absorber in 2021. The 2023 failure noted pitted and scored front brake discs, indicating potential periods of inactivity or poor-quality replacement parts. Furthermore, the presence of corrosion on the rear brake hose ferrule in 2023 suggests that environmental degradation is beginning to affect the hydraulic integrity of the braking system. The record also highlights a pattern of neglecting tyres, with multiple failures for exposed cords and structural tears in both 2022 and 2023. This suggests the previous owners ignored basic consumable wear until it became unsafe. Any physical inspection should verify the state of the exhaust mounts, which were previously flagged as insecure, and check for structural rust or the current state of the windscreen, which has been a recurring defect for five years. Given the elapsed time since the last MOT, a comprehensive mechanical survey is essential before any purchase.