Mitsubishi Carisma (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 543 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,428

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

64%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1597cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

64% pass rate, £2,428/year to run. 18 points below average.

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Petrol1597cc23 years old543 tests108k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1597cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,428

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

64% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mitsubishi brand average of 80%.

64% of MOT tests on Mitsubishi Carismas from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 543 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 107,548 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models392nd of 429(bottom 9%)

Rank among Mitsubishi models365th of 390(bottom 7%)

vs average of all models-18%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average-8%(72% avg)

vs Mitsubishi average-16%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

107,548

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma had 107,548 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1997 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 75%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 64%. The 2003 scores 64%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+7%

Ford Focus

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+7%

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+7%

Toyota Yaris

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

73%

+9%

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About the 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma

The 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma is a small family car. Our records list a 1597cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 543 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 9% of 2003 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 107,548 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mitsubishi Carisma owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 Mitsubishi Carisma Fuel Costs

The 1597cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,428 (£202/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 64% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Mitsubishi Carisma Reliability Trend

Older Mitsubishi Carismas tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 7 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma

At 23 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 1997 model has the highest pass rate at 75%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 108k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 64% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mitsubishi Carisma(2003)	64%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£200
Ford Focus(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£200
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£275
Toyota Yaris(2005)	73%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£275

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma

Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 64% of MOT tests on 2003 Mitsubishi Carismas ended in a pass, from 543 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,428 a year (£202 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma?

64% of 543 MOT tests on the 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 392nd of 429 models first registered in 2003 (bottom 9%).

Which year Mitsubishi Carisma has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1997 Mitsubishi Carisma has the highest MOT pass rate at 75% and the 2004 the lowest at 64%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma is 107,548 miles, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.