2010 Mitsubishi Colt 1.3L Petrol · WM59 UNP

A pattern of front-axle wear and running-gear deterioration dominates the recorded MOT history of this 2010 Mitsubishi Colt. Across the seven tests on file, the most recent pass on 7 February 2025 was accompanied by a deteriorated front number plate, an engine oil leak (noted as not excessive), and a minor for a severely deteriorated offside front outer CV joint boot. Earlier entries reinforce the same mechanical theme: a dangerous failure on 10 February 2024 was triggered by a front tyre below the 1.6mm tread limit and both front brake pads under 1.5mm, with both front discs showing pitting and scoring; a 2022 major failure cited a split nearside front outer CV boot, an excessively worn nearside front anti-roll bar linkage bush, and inoperative front position lamps alongside an airbag warning lamp fault. With three failures recorded (two dangerous-class and one major), four advisories concentrated on front tyres, brakes, and steering/suspension components, plus two CV boot entries spanning four years, the trend is one of recurring consumable wear rather than an improving or stable roadworthiness picture. The advisory on engine oil leakage also warrants ongoing monitoring even though it was judged non-excessive at the time of test. Annual mileage sits at roughly 7,815 miles per year over a sixteen-year life, which is broadly typical for the vehicle's age and indicates steady rather than extreme use. The testing cadence is regular from 2021 onwards, with no extended lay-up gaps that would raise concerns about dormant component issues such as seized brakes or deteriorated cooling system hoses. However, the consistency of front-end wear items across nearly every test cycle is consistent with the mechanical demands of routine urban and short-journey driving, where braking loads, steering input, and cornering forces are concentrated on the front axle. The recorded 125,043 miles is a level at which original suspension bushes, anti-roll bar components, and CV joint boots have typically reached the end of their effective service life, which aligns directly with the components flagged in the MOT record. For a prospective buyer, the inspection priorities should mirror the components the DVSA has already highlighted. The front brake discs should be measured for remaining thickness, and the caliper sliders checked for smooth operation, because a binding caliper would explain the pattern of pad wear that produced the dangerous-class failure in 2024. With brake pads and tyres simultaneously at the legal limit on the offside front at the last two relevant tests, it is worth confirming the wheel alignment is within tolerance and that there is no uneven inner-edge wear on the front tyres, which could point to worn suspension geometry. The anti-roll bar linkage bushes and drop links should be inspected by hand for play, particularly on the nearside front, as the 2022 major failure identified excessive wear in this component; a knocking or clonking over uneven road surfaces, or vagueness during direction changes, would be a warning sign of further deterioration. The CV joint boots on both front corners warrant a close visual inspection and a feel for any vibration or clicking on full-lock turns, since the nearside boot was recorded as split in 2022 and the offside boot severely deteriorated by 2025, suggesting an ongoing exposure to heat and age-related rubber degradation. The engine oil leak advisory should be checked by inspecting the underside of the engine and sump for fresh residue, monitoring oil level between services, and noting any smoke from the engine bay on cold start. Finally, because a Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp fault was recorded as a major failure in 2022, it is prudent to confirm the airbag system has been professionally diagnosed and cleared since that test, and that the warning lamp extinguishes correctly at ignition. Taken together, the record points to a vehicle whose mechanical condition is largely dictated by its front running gear; a thorough test drive listening for suspension knocks, feeling for brake judder or pull, and inspecting the boots and bushes directly is essential before purchase.