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Mitsubishi Carisma DA (1st gen) (1995-2004) reliability

Not enough data

Mitsubishi Carisma DA (1st gen) built around 2004: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Mitsubishi Carisma DA (1st gen) models built around 2004 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Mitsubishi Carisma DA (1st gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

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

Mitsubishi Carisma DA (1st gen)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate1995-2004HatchbackDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 578 tests of Carisma models registered 1995-2004.

DA (1st gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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.

How the Carisma DA (1st gen) compares

At each age below, see how the Carisma DA (1st gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 6,442 tests across 11 Mitsubishi models, built around 2004 (21 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMitsubishi average
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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Carisma DA (1st gen).

  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 DA (1st gen), 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 DA (1st gen) 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 DA (1st gen) 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 DA (1st gen), 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.

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.

What has gone wrong on Carisma DA (1st gen) cars built around 2004

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 86 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
57%
Emissions
26%
Steering
9%
Drivetrain
5%

Wear items

Brakes
74%
Tyres
51%
Lighting
49%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 15% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How Carisma DA (1st gen) cars have aged

How Carisma DA (1st gen) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%30%40%171819202122Age at MOTBuilt around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.2% (404 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 37.1% (321 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 34.6% (240 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (177 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (138 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 35.8% (520 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.2% (397 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 35.8% (302 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (229 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (165 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.4% (79 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 35.0% (60 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 35.1% (57 tests, 2023 data)2002Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (82 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 36.9% (65 tests, 2022 data)2000
First registered around 2004First registered around 2003First registered around 2002First registered around 2000
How each part holds up as DA (1st gen) cars age

How each part holds up as DA (1st gen) cars age

The share of petrol cars built pre-2005 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension57%53%49%42%
Brakes74%68%68%73%
Emissions26%30%26%26%
Tyres51%51%44%51%
Lighting49%50%49%63%
Drivetrain5%21%12%39%
BodyworkNo figure1%2%No figure
Steering9%19%6%4%
Corrosion15%11%11%9%

Based on petrol cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 86 to 217 cars at each age.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Mitsubishi Carismas of this age

This list covers every Mitsubishi Carisma built around 2004, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the DA (1st gen) on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Mitsubishi Carisma DA (1st gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Mitsubishi Carisma DA (1st gen) (1995-2004) 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.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 578 MOT tests on Mitsubishi Carismas first registered between 1995-2004. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.