Mitsubishi Colt Z30
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
150 PS
CZT · Benzin
Small sports car
Fun to Drive!109 PS
1.5L MIVEC Benzin
2 weaknesses
Good ChoiceBody Variants
The Mitsubishi Colt Z30 is available as Hatchback and Convertible — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Engine Overview
The Mitsubishi Colt Z30 is available with 6 engine variants — from 68 to 150 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
Mercedes-Renault cooperation engine (1.5 dCi/DI-D). Prone to DPF clogging with short-trip use and turbocharger wear. Reliable with regular oil changes and motorway use. Replace timing belt every 90,000 km.
- !! DPF blockage (short-trip use) from 100,000 km
The diesel particulate filter on the OM639.939 blocks up with predominantly short-trip use. Regeneration requires at least 30 minutes of motorway driving. A blocked DPF causes power loss and limp mode.
Symptoms: DPF warning light, power loss, high fuel consumption, smoke from exhaust - !! Timing belt failure from 90,000 km
The OM639.939 uses a timing belt drive. Exceeding the 90,000 km replacement interval risks engine damage from valve contact. Insist on service records before buying.
Symptoms: Engine cranks without firing, engine damage after belt failure - !! Turbocharger wear from 140,000 km
The turbocharger on the OM639.939 Colt diesel shows increased wear when oil changes are missed or with predominantly short-trip use. Typically from 130,000–160,000 km. Do not switch off the engine immediately after a hot run.
Symptoms: Whistling from the turbo, power loss, blue smoke
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Smart/Renault 3-cylinder with 1.1-litre displacement and timing chain. Simple naturally aspirated engine with no known serious weaknesses. Oil change every 10,000 km; check thermostat occasionally.
- ! Thermostat failure from 100,000 km
The M134.910 thermostat tends to stick — either running too cool (stuck open) or too hot (stuck closed). Replace preventively on vehicles over 100,000 km. A cheap measure with a big payoff.
Symptoms: Engine fails to reach normal operating temperature or overheats, poor heater output - ! Spark plug wear from 60,000 km
The three-cylinder M134.910 is more sensitive to worn spark plugs than four-cylinder units — a single cylinder misfire means a 33% power loss. Stick to the 60,000 km replacement interval.
Symptoms: Rough idle, noticeable stumble on cold start, increased fuel consumption - ! Throttle body carbon deposits from 80,000 km
The M134.910 throttle body is prone to carbon deposits on poorly maintained vehicles. Erratic idle and sluggish throttle response can result. Cleaning during a service is recommended.
Symptoms: Rough idle, poor throttle response when accelerating, occasional stalling at idle
Smart/Renault 3-cylinder with 1.3-litre displacement. Technically closely related to the M134, slightly more power. Timing chain is maintenance-free. Check throttle body and thermostat occasionally.
- ! Thermostat failure from 100,000 km
The M135.930 thermostat is equally prone to sticking in the open or closed position as the M134. Replace on poorly maintained examples over 100,000 km.
Symptoms: Engine fails to reach normal operating temperature or overheats, poor heater output - ! Spark plug wear from 60,000 km
Same issue as the M134 — the three-cylinder is sensitive to worn plugs. Stick to the 60,000 km replacement interval. Neglected examples frequently run poorly.
Symptoms: Rough idle, stumble on cold start, increased fuel consumption - ! Throttle body carbon deposits from 80,000 km
The M135.930 throttle body is prone to carbon build-up in short-trip operation. Leads to erratic idle and occasional stalling. Clean at service.
Symptoms: Rough idle, poor throttle response, occasional stalling
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Compact 1.5-litre aluminium four-cylinder with MIVEC valve control and timing chain. Reliable everyday engine; occasional oil consumption from piston rings or valve stem seals at high mileage.
- !! Oil consumption from worn piston rings from 130,000 km
From around 120,000 km piston rings and valve stem seals can deteriorate. Oil consumption above 0.5 litres/1,000 km is a warning sign.
Symptoms: Blue smoke from exhaust, dropping oil level, blue deposits on spark plugs - ! Crankshaft seal leaking from 120,000 km
The front crankshaft seal tends to leak oil at higher mileages, especially on long motorway runs. Not critical damage, but oil loss must be monitored.
Symptoms: Oil spots under the engine, oil smell, dropping oil level without visible cause
1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with timing chain and Bosch injection. Solid engine base, but the turbo increases the requirement for regular oil changes. Check intercooler and turbocharger after 120,000 km. Avoid short-trip use — the turbo needs a warm-up period.
- !! Turbo bearing wear from 120,000 km
The turbocharger on the 4G15 CZT tends to develop shaft play and oil supply problems from around 100,000–130,000 km. Hot shut-downs without a cool-down period accelerate wear significantly. Symptomatic through whistling and blue smoke.
Symptoms: Whistling under acceleration, power loss, blue smoke from exhaust, oil loss - !! Elevated oil consumption (turbo) from 110,000 km
Through turbo shaft seal wear and oil carbon deposits in the intake tract the 4G15 CZT burns noticeable amounts of oil at high mileage. Check oil level every 2,000–3,000 km. Oil change every 10,000 km is mandatory.
Symptoms: Dropping oil level without visible external leak, slight blue smoke on cold start, oil smell - !! Intercooler leak from 100,000 km
The intercooler and its hoses on the 4G15 CZT tend to crack and develop leaks with age. Boost pressure drops and the engine enters limp mode. Inspect all hose connections when buying used.
Symptoms: Marked power loss, engine warning light, visible oil or dirt around the intercooler
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Compact 1.5-litre aluminium four-cylinder with MIVEC valve control and timing chain. Reliable everyday engine; occasional oil consumption from piston rings or valve stem seals at high mileage.
- !! Oil consumption from worn piston rings from 130,000 km
From around 120,000 km piston rings and valve stem seals can deteriorate. Oil consumption above 0.5 litres/1,000 km is a warning sign.
Symptoms: Blue smoke from exhaust, dropping oil level, blue deposits on spark plugs - ! Crankshaft seal leaking from 120,000 km
The front crankshaft seal tends to leak oil at higher mileages, especially on long motorway runs. Not critical damage, but oil loss must be monitored.
Symptoms: Oil spots under the engine, oil smell, dropping oil level without visible cause
1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with timing chain and Bosch injection. Solid engine base, but the turbo increases the requirement for regular oil changes. Check intercooler and turbocharger after 120,000 km. Avoid short-trip use — the turbo needs a warm-up period.
- !! Turbo bearing wear from 120,000 km
The turbocharger on the 4G15 CZT tends to develop shaft play and oil supply problems from around 100,000–130,000 km. Hot shut-downs without a cool-down period accelerate wear significantly. Symptomatic through whistling and blue smoke.
Symptoms: Whistling under acceleration, power loss, blue smoke from exhaust, oil loss - !! Elevated oil consumption (turbo) from 110,000 km
Through turbo shaft seal wear and oil carbon deposits in the intake tract the 4G15 CZT burns noticeable amounts of oil at high mileage. Check oil level every 2,000–3,000 km. Oil change every 10,000 km is mandatory.
Symptoms: Dropping oil level without visible external leak, slight blue smoke on cold start, oil smell - !! Intercooler leak from 100,000 km
The intercooler and its hoses on the 4G15 CZT tend to crack and develop leaks with age. Boost pressure drops and the engine enters limp mode. Inspect all hose connections when buying used.
Symptoms: Marked power loss, engine warning light, visible oil or dirt around the intercooler
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Immobiliser and starter battery fail early The immobiliser fails to recognise the key reliably. The starter battery gives up prematurely, and light bulbs generally have a short service life. On 2005–2006 model years the throttle body can cause sudden engine shutdown. Symptoms: Engine sporadically won't start, immobiliser warning light flashing, frequent bulb replacements needed from 80,000 km | Low | |
| Throttle body fault triggering limp mode The throttle body becomes dirty or fails particularly on 2005–2006 models. Engine enters limp mode, check engine light illuminates. Cleaning or a software update often resolves it. Symptoms: Check engine light, power loss, limp mode, rough idle from 60,000 km | Low | |
| Failed low-beam bulbs and rear lights Low-beam bulbs and rear light clusters fail on the Colt above-average often. This was a recurring ADAC breakdown reason and an MOT advisory point. Symptoms: Single low-beam fails, defective rear light cluster, MOT lighting advisories from 50,000 km | Low | |
| Premature starter battery failure The starter battery on the Colt Z30 quits early. In ADAC reliability reports the battery was among the most frequent breakdown causes. Symptoms: Engine won't start, weak electrical system, sluggish cranking from 60,000 km | Low |
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 28 weaknesses have been documented for the Mitsubishi Colt Z30 (2004–2012) — 18 engine-related and 10 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Electronics, HVAC, Brakes, Suspension. Considered reliable: 4A91 (1.5L MIVEC), M134.910 (1.1L NA), M135.930 (1.3L NA).
Colt (OM639.939, 2005–2008) — Be Careful: DPF blockage (short-trip use), Timing belt failure, Turbocharger wear. Power: 68 PS.
Colt (OM639.939, 2005–2012) — Be Careful: DPF blockage (short-trip use), Timing belt failure, Turbocharger wear. Power: 95 PS.
Colt (4G15, 2005–2010) — Be Careful: Turbo bearing wear, Elevated oil consumption (turbo), Intercooler leak. Power: 150 PS.
What to watch out for with the Mitsubishi Colt? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Mitsubishi Colt Z30 have? +
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Which engine is recommended? +
Which Mitsubishi Colt Z30 engine is the most reliable? +
Which Mitsubishi Colt Z30 engine is the most fun? +
Is the Mitsubishi Colt Z30 worth buying used? +
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee