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Mitsubishi Carisma reliability by build year

Coverage 1995-20041 named generationHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

We've only got 250 MOT tests for Mitsubishi Carismas built around 2004 (21 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Mitsubishi Carisma built around 2004: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Mitsubishi Carismas built around 2004 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Mitsubishi Carisma by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mitsubishi Carisma's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Carisma's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Carisma DA (1st gen)

DA (1st gen) (1995-2004)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

33.2% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Likely between 27.7% and 39.3%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 250 MOT tests at this ageView details →

By age

Mitsubishi Carisma fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mitsubishi Carisma ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
25033.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
20233.2%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
12634.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 21-year-old Mitsubishi Carismas

These issues come from 21-year-old Mitsubishi Carismas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    33.2%
    Advisory: 108Fail: 29 (21% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    25.2%
    Advisory: 66Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    23.6%
    Advisory: 85Fail: 13 (13% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    18.8%
    Advisory: 56Fail: 9 (14% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    17.2%
    Advisory: 69Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 250 MOT tests on 21-year-old Mitsubishi Carismas, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 21-year-old Mitsubishi Carismas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Suspension50%
  2. Suspension + Tyres30%
  3. Brakes + Lighting30%
  4. Lighting + Suspension29%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 184 MOT tests on Mitsubishi Carisma cars built around 2004 (21 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Mitsubishi Carisma.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Mitsubishi Carisma name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.4%

    Lower fail rate: 20.4%, against 33.2% for the Mitsubishi Carisma, both built around 2004.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,984 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Mitsubishi Carisma on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    17,263 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    Renault Clio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    34.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.9%

    No clear edge over the Mitsubishi Carisma on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    7,283 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  4. 4

    Smart City

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.9%
    Dangerous
    4.5%

    Lower fail rate: 29.5%, against 33.2% for the Mitsubishi Carisma, both built around 2004.

    1,345 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Mitsubishi Carisma across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 250 21-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Mitsubishi Carisma ever sold: 578 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2004 (21 years old): 250 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.