2007 Mitsubishi Colt 1.3L Petrol · WR07 VFF

A nineteen year old Colt carrying a recorded 73,178 miles presents a roadworthiness record dominated by rear brake and windscreen wiper concerns rather than structural or suspension decay. The most recent test on 13 January 2026 returned a pass with only a minor advisory for a defective front wiper blade, but the preceding attempt on 15 December 2025 failed outright on a nearside rear service brake that was excessively binding, accompanied by the same wiper defect and an inoperative registration plate lamp. Working backwards through the file, the 2018 cycle was particularly poor: a dangerous defect was recorded for an offside rear brake disc seriously weakened, paired with a failed registration plate lamp and an ineffective offside wiper. The 2017 cycle combined a failed nearside front wheel bearing roughness with advisories for perished rear brake components and pitted rear discs. Taken as a whole, the pattern points to recurring rear brake hardware degradation, repeated minor electrical and wiper defects, and no recorded structural, corrosion, exhaust, or steering related advisories across the seven tests on file. At roughly 3,851 miles per year over a nineteen year life, the recorded mileage is genuinely low for the age, and there is also a substantial testing gap between the 2019 pass and the 2025/2026 entries, indicating either an extended period off the road or testing only at the point of re introduction. The annual accumulation between 2016 and 2019 was modest, consistent with light second car or occasional use. Mechanically, low annual mileage of this type reduces wear on major drivetrain components but tends to accelerate issues with seized caliper slide pins and binding rear brake mechanisms, because the rear brakes self adjust and corrode when the car is used only intermittently. Standing periods also dry out rubber wiper blades and allow moisture to ingress into exposed electrical lamp holders, which aligns closely with the recurring wiper and registration plate lamp defects seen throughout this record. For a prospective buyer, the rear brake system must be the primary inspection focus. The binding nearside rear brake recorded as a major failure in December 2025, combined with the dangerous offside rear disc failure in 2018 and the pitted, perished rear components advised in 2016 and 2017, indicates a chronic weakness rather than isolated wear. On a road test, expect to feel the car pulling to one side under gentle braking, detect a hot or acrid smell from the rear wheels immediately after a short stop, and look for a rear caliper that fails to release freely when the handbrake is released. The rear brake disc on both sides should be inspected for a pronounced lip, deep scoring, or visible cracking near the handbrabrake drum integation. A physical check of the handbrake travel is worthwhile, as seized rear mechanisms commonly present as an over adjusted or ineffective handbrake on this model. The front wheel bearing roughness recorded as a failure in 2017, and the absence of any front brake or suspension advisories since, suggests that area has held up, but it should still be verified. With the car jacked, each front wheel should be spun by hand to confirm smooth, silent rotation with no notchiness or resistance that builds up at speed. On the road, listen for a humming noise that changes with vehicle speed and disappears or alters on turns, which is characteristic of a worn front wheel bearing. The windscreen wiper linkage and motor deserve a functional check on a wet screen, as the recurring minor and major wiper advisories across 2018 and 2026 point to ageing wiper mechanism components rather than simple blade wear. Finally, because the car was effectively untested for roughly six years, all rubber components including tyres, brake hoses, and any visible suspension bushes should be scrutinised for perishing or cracking before purchase.