How much does a 1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA?

The 1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA has a 75% MOT pass rate based on 107 tests in 2026. This ranks 162 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year MITSUBISHI CARISMA is most reliable?

The 1999 MITSUBISHI CARISMA has the highest MOT pass rate at 77%. The least reliable year is 2001 at 59%.

MITSUBISHI CARISMA (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 75% of MITSUBISHI CARISMAs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 107 tests. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA?

The average mileage for a 1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA is 113,735 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 107 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1834cc Petrol

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Petrol1834cc29 years old107 tests114k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1834cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1834cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,197

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

75% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MITSUBISHI brand average of 80%.

At 29 years old, 75% of MITSUBISHI CARISMAs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 107 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 113,735 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars162th of 320(top 51%)

Rank among MITSUBISHI models259th of 408(top 63%)

vs national average-7%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average+0%(75% avg)

vs MITSUBISHI average-5%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

113,735

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA has 113,735 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1999 model with a 77% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 59%. The 1997 sits between the two at 75%.

MITSUBISHI CARISMA by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2004	64%	352	106,533 mi
2003	64%	543	107,548 mi
2002	66%	158	108,780 mi
2001	59%	54	112,157 mi
2000	65%	62	96,336 mi
1999	77%	94	101,458 mi
1998	72%	87	106,485 mi
1997	75%	107	113,735 mi
1996	69%	55	98,435 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-2%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-4%

BMW 3 SERIES

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

+4%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,017/year

75%

same

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About the 1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA

The 1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA is a family car with a 1834cc petrol engine. 107 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 113,735 miles at 29 years old, MITSUBISHI CARISMA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA Fuel Costs

The 1834cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 75% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MITSUBISHI CARISMA Reliability Trend

Older MITSUBISHI CARISMAs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 10 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA

At 29 years old, the MITSUBISHI CARISMA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1999 model has the highest pass rate at 77%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 114k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 MITSUBISHI CARISMA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MITSUBISHI CARISMA(1997)	75%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2197
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)	79%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.