2012 Mitsubishi Colt 1.3L Petrol · YX62 SVF

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a pattern of reactive repairs rather than proactive upkeep. The most recent test in January 2026 at 39,684 miles passed despite advisories for both front tyres being near the legal limit and worn uneven. While the car passes, the history indicates that faults are only addressed once they reach a failure threshold, as seen with the transition from the 2025 failure involving drive shaft boots and anti-roll bar links to a subsequent pass. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 14-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 2,835 miles per year. Between January 2024 and January 2025, the car covered only 1,881 miles, which suggests consistent low usage. While this low mileage reduces wear on the engine and drivetrain, it often accelerates the degradation of rubber-based components. The recurring appearance of worn anti-roll bar links and axle swivel bushes is a common symptom of age-related perish rot and dry seals rather than high mileage driven. A buyer must carefully inspect the structural integrity of the vehicle. The tester has flagged underbody rust in three consecutive tests starting in 2024 and continuing into 2026. Although the records state structural rigidity is not yet significantly reduced, the presence of corrosion is a progressive issue. A physical inspection of the sills, floor, and mounting points is essential to ensure the rust is merely surface level and not developing into perforation. Specific attention should be paid to the front suspension geometry. The uneven wear on the front tyres noted in 2026 suggests potential alignment issues or worn suspension components. Given the previous failures related to split CV boots and worn anti-roll bar links, the buyer should check for grease leakage around the drive shafts and excessive play in the suspension bushings to ensure the previous repairs were completed effectively.