Mitsubishi Colt — Price, Faults & Buyer's Guide
Everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Colt in South Africa — pricing by mileage, known faults, a buyer's inspection checklist, maintenance schedule and real owner feedback.
CVT ReliabilityFuel EfficientBudget FriendlyLimited Power
7.2
Good Value
Affordable, fuel-efficient compact hatchback with strong CVT reliability and low running costs; competitive with rivals but modest performance and space limit appeal to budget-conscious urban buyers.
Est. Retail
R245k
Est. Trade
R195k
Annual Sales (SA)
~2,100
5yr Depreciation
42%
Mitsubishi Colt price in South Africa by mileageMedium confidence
| Mileage band | Trade-in estimate | Retail estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 20,000 km km | Est. R324k–R437k | Est. R396k–R502k |
| 20,001 – 40,000 km km | Est. R288k–R388k | Est. R352k–R446k |
| 40,001 – 60,000 km km | Est. R255k–R343k | Est. R310k–R394k |
| 60,001 – 80,000 km km | Est. R225k–R303k | Est. R275k–R349k |
| 80,001 – 100,000 km km | Est. R200k–R270k | Est. R244k–R310k |
| 100,001 – 120,000 km km | Est. R176k–R237k | Est. R214k–R272k |
| 120,001 – 140,000 km km | Est. R155k–R209k | Est. R190k–R241k |
| 140,001 – 160,000 km km | Est. R137k–R185k | Est. R168k–R213k |
| 160,001 – 180,000 km km | Est. R122k–R164k | Est. R148k–R188k |
| 180,001 – 200,000 km km | Est. R108k–R146k | Est. R132k–R167k |
| 200,000+ km km | Est. R97k–R130k | Est. R118k–R150k |
Prices are estimated using modelled data for the SA market and may vary from an official industry valuation. Want the exact price for a specific vehicle? Use our Industry Valuation Report.
Common Mitsubishi Colt problems & repair costs
CVT Fluid Service
CVT fluid requires regular conditioning; neglect causes shuddering and premature wear. Service at 60k km and every 40k thereafter.
Spark Plug & Ignition Coil Wear
1.3T turbo engines prone to premature spark plug carbon buildup and coil degradation in high-mileage units. Expect replacement by 80k km.
Turbo Lag & Boost Inconsistency
Occasional turbo lag on cold starts; not a defect but can feel sluggish before boost builds. Monitor boost pressure on acceleration.
Buyer's inspection checklist
🔧Engine & Drivetrain
Listen for turbo whistle and boost response on hard acceleration. — Turbo seals wear; listen for rattling or lag.
Test CVT shift feel: should be smooth, no harsh clunks or shuddering. — CVT fluid condition and solenoid health directly impact drivability.
🚗Body & Exterior
Inspect turbo hose clips and intake manifold for oil weeping. — Turbo engines leak oil from seal failures; indicates neglect.
Check for accident or panel repair history; inspect paint thickness. — Small hatchback frames flex easily; poor repairs lead to alignment issues.
💡Interior & Electronics
Test all AC modes and check refrigerant pressure if low. — Compact cars have smaller AC systems; leaks are common.
Verify infotainment touchscreen responsiveness and Bluetooth pairing. — Budget units have poor durability; intermittent failures common.
📋Service History
Confirm all CVT fluid services logged at 60k km and 100k km. — Mitsubishi recommends CVT conditioning every 40k; proof of service is critical.
Verify turbo oil service intervals met (every 10k km). — Turbo engines demand frequent oil changes to prevent carbon buildup.
Recommended maintenance schedule
highCVT Fluid Conditioning Service — Transmission shuddering and premature CVT failure
60,000 km, then every 40,000 km
R850–R1,200
R850–R1,200
mediumSpark Plug Replacement — Rough idling and turbo lag
60,000 km or 3 years
R600–R900
R600–R900
highEngine Oil & Filter Change — Turbo bearing wear and sludge buildup
10,000 km or 6 months
R280–R420
R280–R420
mediumTurbo Hose & Boost Sensor Inspection — Boost loss and fuel economy deterioration
80,000 km
R500–R800 (inspection); R2,500–R4,000 if repair needed
R500–R800 (inspection); R2,500–R4,000 if repair needed
Mitsubishi Colt owner reviews
Colt 1.3T owners praise fuel efficiency and affordability but note modest performance and tight interior space on longer journeys. (72/100 owner approval)
👍
Excellent Fuel Economy
Real-world figures of 5.2–5.8 L/100 km make it one of the thriftiest compact hatchbacks in SA; turbo efficiency at highway speeds is impressive.
👍
Smooth CVT Performance
CVT gearbox is responsive and hiccup-free when maintained; no jerky shifts or rubber-band feel reported by diligent owners.
👎
Limited Power Delivery
92 kW feels modest; turbo lag on cold starts and highway merging feels sluggish compared to naturally aspirated rivals.
👎
Cramped Rear Legroom
Tight backseat and limited boot space (235 L) make it unsuitable for families; tall passengers complain of headroom.
Mitsubishi Colt specifications
| Engine | 1.3L Turbocharged 4-cyl Petrol |
| Power | 92 kW (125 PS) @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 185 Nm @ 2,000–4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | Continuously Variable (CVT) |
| Fuel consumption | 5.0–5.8 L/100 km (combined) |
| Fuel tank | 50 L |
| Boot capacity | 235 L |
| Kerb weight | 1,080 kg |
| Top speed | 190 km/h |
| 0–100 km/h | 10.2 seconds |
| Service interval | 10,000 km or 6 months |
| Service plan | Mitsubishi Factory Plan available (24/36/60 months) |
| Warranty | 3 years / 100,000 km |
| Original price | R330,000 (2024 base model) |
Frequently asked questions
A used Mitsubishi Colt typically retails from around R245k depending on year, mileage and condition, with trade-in value around R195k. See the full pricing table above for estimates across all mileage bands.
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All information is either scraped, searched from live sources or AI training data. It is intended as a general research guide only and may not represent actual transaction values for a specific vehicle. RideReport is not a licensed valuations provider.