Common Mitsubishi Carisma Problems, Faults, and Repair Costs
Every known Mitsubishi Carisma MOT issue, ranked by how common it is and what it costs to fix. Based on 1,512 real MOT tests across 9 model years.
Segment: family car | Fuel: Diesel, Petrol
66%
Mitsubishi Carisma pass rate
80%
Mitsubishi average
82%
National average
The Mitsubishi Carisma has an average MOT pass rate of 66%, which is 14 points below the Mitsubishi average and 16 points below the national average. Older MITSUBISHI CARISMAs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 10 percentage points across model years.
Check Your Mitsubishi Carisma's MOT History
Enter your reg plate to see the specific issues found on your car, plus a health score and running cost estimate.
Most Common Mitsubishi Carisma MOT Issues
Ranked by how likely they are to affect your Mitsubishi Carisma, with typical repair costs
Brakes
High likelihood£80 - £450
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Brake discs worn, brake pads thin, handbrake adjustment needed
Failure points:
Brake disc excessively worn, brake pipe corroded, brake efficiency below minimum
Suspension
High likelihood£150 - £600
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Suspension arm bush worn, shock absorber misting, spring corroded
Failure points:
Coil spring broken, ball joint excessive play, shock absorber leaking
Lights
High likelihood£15 - £200
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Headlamp aim slightly out, lens deteriorated
Failure points:
Headlamp not working, brake light not functioning, indicator failure
Tyres
High likelihood£50 - £300
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Tyre approaching legal limit, slight damage to sidewall
Failure points:
Tyre below minimum tread depth, tyre has a cut exposing ply
Exhaust & Emissions
High likelihood£80 - £800
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Exhaust mounting corroded, slight exhaust leak
Failure points:
Exhaust emissions exceed limits, catalytic converter efficiency low, DPF warning
Steering
High likelihood£100 - £500
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Track rod end has slight play, steering rack boot deteriorated
Failure points:
Steering rack leaking, track rod ball joint worn beyond limits
Body & Structure
High likelihood£200 - £1200
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Surface corrosion on subframe, slight body panel damage
Failure points:
Structural corrosion, body mounting corroded through, chassis weakness
Windscreen & Wipers
Lower likelihood£10 - £350
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Minor windscreen chip, wiper blade deteriorated
Failure points:
Windscreen crack in swept area, wiper does not clear windscreen
Is your specific car affected?
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Mitsubishi Carisma Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, based on real test data
Mitsubishi Carisma Running Costs
Want to know the full annual running costs for the Mitsubishi Carisma? Including fuel, tax, insurance, and predicted repairs based on MOT history.
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Mitsubishi Carisma FAQ
What are the most common Mitsubishi Carisma problems?
The most common Mitsubishi Carisma MOT problems are brakes, suspension, lights, tyres, exhaust & emissions, steering, body & structure issues. These are the areas most likely to cause advisories or failures during an MOT test, based on 1,512 real tests.
Is the Mitsubishi Carisma reliable?
The Mitsubishi Carisma has an average MOT pass rate of 66%, which is 16 points below the national average of 82%. This is below average, so budget for potential repairs.
Which year Mitsubishi Carisma is most reliable?
The 1999 Mitsubishi Carisma is the most reliable year with a 77% MOT pass rate. Avoid the 2001 model year if reliability is your priority, as it has the lowest pass rate at 59%.
How much does it cost to fix common Mitsubishi Carisma faults?
Repair costs vary by issue. Brake work on a Mitsubishi Carisma typically costs £80-£450, suspension repairs cost £150-£600, and exhaust/emissions fixes cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific Mitsubishi Carisma
Enter any reg plate to see the exact MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.
Other Mitsubishi Models
Common problems pages for other Mitsubishi models