MITSUBISHI CARISMA (2003)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 543 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£2,157
£180/month
MOT Pass Rate
64%
Below Avg
Road Tax
£265
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 12-25
1597cc Petrol
Proceed With Caution
64% pass rate, £2157/year to run. 18 points below average.
Check a specific MITSUBISHI CARISMA
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Based on 1597cc
Higher estimate due to low pass rate
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
Get an insurance quote for this MITSUBISHI CARISMA
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MITSUBISHI brand average of 80%.
At 23 years old, 64% of MITSUBISHI CARISMAs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 543 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 107,548 miles.
Got a MITSUBISHI CARISMA you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
107,548
Average miles
170,200
Expected for age
The average 2003 MITSUBISHI CARISMA has 107,548 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Looking at a specific MITSUBISHI CARISMA?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
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 2003 sits between the two at 64%.
MITSUBISHI CARISMA by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Mitsubishi Carisma
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 2003 MITSUBISHI CARISMA
The 2003 MITSUBISHI CARISMA is a small family car with a 1597cc petrol engine. 543 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 91% of 2003 cars for MOT pass rates.
With an average of 107,548 miles at 23 years old, 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 £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2003 MITSUBISHI CARISMA?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,157 (£180/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 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 10 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 1999 model has the highest pass rate at 77%.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2003 MITSUBISHI CARISMA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 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 outRubber 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 outWith 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 riskHigh-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 outWith 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 riskAlways 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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MITSUBISHI CARISMA(2003) | 64% | £1137 | £265 | Grp 12-25 | £2157 |
| MINI MINI(2005) | 71% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1827-£330 |
| FORD FOCUS(2005) | 71% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1827-£330 |
| FORD FIESTA(2003) | 71% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722-£435 |
| TOYOTA YARIS(2005) | 73% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722-£435 |
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.
Related Mitsubishi Models
Explore other Mitsubishi cars or similar models in the same category.
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER
2015 · 1998cc Hybrid
MITSUBISHI L200
2017 · 2442cc Diesel
MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
2018 · 1400cc Petrol
MINI MINI
2005 · 1598cc Petrol
FORD FOCUS
2005 · 1596cc Petrol
FORD FIESTA
2003 · 1388cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Mitsubishi Carisma.
20 Most Reliable Used Cars UK 2026: Real MOT Pass Rate Rankings
10 min read
ReliabilityMost Reliable Used Cars UK 2026 (Data From 50M Real MOT Tests)
11 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Problems: 7 Issues Owners Report (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific MITSUBISHI CARISMA
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a MITSUBISHI CARISMA? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data