What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Mitsubishi Carisma.
The Mitsubishi Carisma occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Mitsubishi Carisma range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mitsubishi Carisma? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
DA0 (1995–2004) — Petrol options included the 1.6 16v, 1.8 GDI, with 1.9 DI-D on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe mounting area corrosion.
The front and rear subframe mounting points on the Carisma are prone to structural corrosion that compromises the load-bearing capacity of the shell. This affects the prescribed areas within 30cm of suspension component mountings where corrosion can weaken the connection between subframe and body. The issue is particularly severe because it affects the fundamental structural integrity of the vehicle and can lead to suspension component detachment.
Subframe mounting failure presents a direct safety risk as suspension components can detach from the vehicle body. This can cause immediate loss of vehicle control. Professional structural assessment is required and repair costs can exceed the vehicle's value if multiple mounting points are affected. The vehicle should not be driven if significant corrosion is present.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The steering rack protective gaiters on the Carisma deteriorate at a significantly higher rate than other vehicles, allowing dirt and water ingress to the steering rack internals. MOT data shows failures at 22.3x the fleet average, making this the most common MOT failure point for this model. Once the gaiters fail, contamination causes rapid wear of the rack and pinion assembly leading to steering play, fluid leaks, and eventual rack replacement.
Failed gaiters allow contamination of the steering rack leading to internal wear and fluid leaks. If left unrepaired, the steering rack will require replacement at significantly higher cost. While not immediately dangerous, continued driving with failed gaiters accelerates rack deterioration and may eventually cause steering failure.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
Suspension bushes and joints on the Carisma deteriorate at 18.1x the fleet average rate, with dust covers failing at 14x the fleet average. This widespread suspension wear affects ride quality, handling precision, and tyre wear patterns. The issue encompasses control arm bushes, anti-roll bar links, and ball joint dust covers. Multiple components typically require replacement simultaneously due to the systemic nature of the deterioration.
Worn suspension components cause poor handling, increased tyre wear, and reduced braking effectiveness. Multiple components typically need replacement which can be costly. While not immediately dangerous, severely worn suspension affects vehicle safety and should be repaired promptly to maintain roadworthiness.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Flexible brake hoses on the Carisma deteriorate at 16.3x the fleet average, particularly affecting the diesel variants. The rubber hoses connecting the brake lines to the calipers become damaged, deteriorated, or twisted with age, creating a potential brake system safety risk. This is a critical safety component as brake hose failure can cause partial or complete brake system failure.
Brake hose failure can cause partial or complete loss of braking ability, presenting an immediate safety risk. Failed hoses must be replaced immediately before driving. Even minor deterioration should be addressed promptly as brake system integrity is critical for safe operation.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Shock absorbers on the Carisma fail at 12.3x the fleet average rate, typically through seal failure causing fluid leakage or internal damage affecting damping performance. Failed shock absorbers compromise vehicle stability, increase braking distances, and cause poor ride quality. The issue affects both front and rear units and commonly requires replacement in pairs to maintain balanced handling characteristics.
Failed shock absorbers significantly affect vehicle stability, braking performance, and handling safety. Continued driving with failed shocks increases accident risk and accelerates tyre wear. Replacement is required to maintain roadworthy condition and safe handling characteristics.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mitsubishi Carisma common problems page.
Based on 7k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Carisma fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is light unit fault at 31x the fleet average, followed by anti-roll bar links worn (28x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mitsubishi Carisma MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £40–£70 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£300–£450).
See the full Mitsubishi Carisma service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mitsubishi Carisma has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Mitsubishi Carisma, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Mitsubishi Carisma issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.