Used Mitsubishi Colt 3-door review and buying guide (2005 to 2008): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Mitsubishi Colt 3-door should you buy?

Go for a manual. The Colt 3-door was only sold from 2005 to 2008 and nothing separates the early cars from the late ones, so the gearbox is the one choice that changes what you're taking on. Either engine, the 1.1 petrol or the 1.5 diesel, gives it plenty of character, so pick the fuel that suits your driving and then judge each car on its condition.

Only take a semi-automatic if there's a dealer invoice for its clutch software update. The original programming couldn't allow for even slight clutch wear, and the update is what cures it, so a car that hasn't had it is a gamble. A manual has no such question hanging over it, which is why it's the easier buy.

Which Colt 3-door engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

There's no known fault against either the 1.1 petrol or the 1.5 diesel, but with this few reports on the car that isn't proof either one's tough, so don't pick one believing it's the safer engine. Choose the fuel that suits your driving instead. One owner found the engine a touch noisy but very smooth with it, so a bit of engine noise on its own isn't a reason to reject a car.

On a 1.5 diesel semi-auto there's a second update to ask about: early in 2007 its software was reprogrammed to change when it picks gears and how the engine revs through each change. That makes changes much smoother, most noticeably on the slow-speed change down into 1st from 2nd, so if a diesel still lurches there, ask whether it's been done. Both updates are dealer jobs, and a dealer invoice is the proof.

What should you check when viewing a used Colt 3-door?

Lift the bonnet and look at the coolant first: the expansion bottle's clip-on cap doesn't seal properly, so the level creeps down over months and an engine left short can overheat. The bottle's long and reaches deep into the engine bay, so take a torch. Check the battery too, as it isn't maintenance free and needs topping up every 4 weeks.

On the test drive, listen for squeaks from the front suspension; one owner traced a driver's side squeak to a tight ball joint, and the track control arm was replaced. Cars that sit unused can have brakes that bind and squeal first thing in the morning as debris builds up, which cleaning and adjusting puts right. One owner also had the handbrake binding, so check it releases cleanly.

Get underneath and look at the transmission mounting brackets: one owner reported a bracket breaking on a 4-year-old car, which wrecked the gearbox and a driveshaft. If it's on alloys with a steel spare, make sure steel wheel bolts come with the spare, since a November 2008 recall found the alloys' locking bolt isn't deep enough to hold it.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used Mitsubishi Colt 3-door cost to run?

What do Colt 3-door owners like about them?

Getting in and out of the front is easy, and the cabin's practical: fold the front seat backrest forward and it lies flat, level with the folded rear seats, so long planks or flat-pack furniture fit in safely. The materials last, too. The seat fabric doesn't wear thin or lose its colour, and the plastics are hard-wearing and wipe clean with no fuss.

The ride's on the firm side, but it handles tidily, and the steering's good once the car has some miles on it (it felt vague and a bit stiff when new). The engine revs freely, and the car's happy holding high motorway speeds all day long.

• The Mitsubishi Colt offers good value for money, with characterful 1.1 petrol or 1.5 diesel engines and excellent front seat access.
• This model achieved a good four-star NCAP crash safety rating for adult occupants, alongside three stars for child safety.
• When fitted, the air conditioning activates for about five minutes after the car has been in the sun, preventing misting.
• The Mitsubishi Colt provides a firm yet comfortable ride, offering decent handling characteristics for everyday journeys.
• The windscreen wipers on this vehicle perform effectively, clearing the glass well in various weather conditions.