Credov's researched list of the 6 faults the Mitsubishi Colt Plus is known for (2003–2011), 4 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
What to look for: Run each front window fully down and up three times, watching for jerky travel or the glass tilting or binding.
Why it matters: A window off its rail can stop the door latching properly, and a door that opens while driving is a serious safety risk.
Typical repair: NZ$150–NZ$600 in New Zealand · A$150–A$620 in Australia
What to look for: Switch on low and high beam and both indicators, wiggling the stalk, and check every lamp lights steadily.
Why it matters: Headlights or indicators that fail at night are a crash risk and a WoF failure. Fixes are inexpensive parts.
Typical repair: NZ$150–NZ$600 in New Zealand · A$150–A$620 in Australia
What to look for: Turn lock to lock while parked and on slow turns both ways, feeling for heavy or uneven steering or a warning lamp.
Why it matters: Losing assist suddenly makes the car hard to steer in a manoeuvre, and the fix is a replacement steering gear.
Typical repair: NZ$800–NZ$2,500 in New Zealand · A$820–A$2,580 in Australia
What to look for: Accelerate gently then firmly and listen for growling, whining or droning that rises with road speed.
Why it matters: Japanese owners report the opposite on some cars (260,000-310,000 km on the original CVT with a few fluid changes), which shows how much fluid maintenance matters. A shudder at 40-60 km/h under light throttle on a 1.3 was also put down to the CVT. Repairs reported in the roughly NZ$1,800-$6,000 range.
What to look for: Run every electric window fully down and up, listening for clicking or grinding and watching for slow or tilted glass.
Why it matters: A window that will not close leaves the car open to theft and rain, and regulators are a common repeat repair.
Typical repair: NZ$250–NZ$800 in New Zealand · A$260–A$820 in Australia
Sources: 1
What to look for: Check the coolant reservoir is between the marks, and note whether it has the early clip-on cap or a screw cap.
Why it matters: A slow coolant loss is cheap to fix with the later reservoir, but run low it can overheat the engine.
Typical repair: NZ$80–NZ$250 in New Zealand · A$80–A$260 in Australia
Sources: 1
Got a question about a Mitsubishi Colt Plus? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.