Mitsubishi Carisma MOT Failures
An analysis of 27,484 real DVSA MOT tests on the Mitsubishi Carisma — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: DA0 (1995–2004).
Where the Mitsubishi Carisma fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Mitsubishi Carisma is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 28 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 27,484 MOT tests, 8.69% of all Mitsubishi Carisma tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include headlight fault (20x the fleet average), light unit fault (31x the fleet average), steering rack wear (22x the fleet average), and suspension component damaged or corroded (20x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Mitsubishi Carisma's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 4 categories: Suspension, Lights & Electrics, Steering, Brakes. If you're inspecting a Mitsubishi Carisma before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Mitsubishi Carisma's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Mitsubishi Carisma specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (31x the average) and brake hoses perished or damaged (24x). suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe... (21x) and anti-roll bar links worn (18x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Mitsubishi Carisma specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are steering rack wear (22x the average) and light unit fault (22x). suspension component damaged or corroded (17x) and anti-roll bar links worn (17x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Mitsubishi Carisma specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension component damaged or corroded (20x the average) and steering rack wear (14x). anti-roll bar links worn (13x) and light unit fault (13x) also appear frequently.
The shift from light unit fault at lower mileages to suspension component damaged or corroded at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Mitsubishi Carisma specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe mounting area corrosion (DA0) Dangerous
The front and rear subframe mounting points on the Carisma are prone to structural corrosion that compromises the load-bearing capacity of the shell. Affects DA0.
Steering rack gaiter deterioration (DA0) Major
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. Affects DA0.
Suspension joint deterioration (DA0) Major
Suspension bushes and joints on the Carisma deteriorate at 18.1x the fleet average rate, with dust covers failing at 14x the fleet average. Affects DA0.
Brake hose deterioration (DA0) Major
Flexible brake hoses on the Carisma deteriorate at 16.3x the fleet average, particularly affecting the diesel variants. Affects DA0.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Mitsubishi Carisma common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Mitsubishi Carisma
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Mitsubishi Carisma:
Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, suspension component damaged or corroded. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault, light unit fault. Steering — check for steering rack wear, track rod ends worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe mounting area corrosion and steering rack gaiter deterioration. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Mitsubishi Carisma?
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Mitsubishi Carisma MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mitsubishi Carisma?
Based on 27,484 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is anti-roll bar links worn — at 28x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include headlight fault and light unit fault.
Is the Mitsubishi Carisma reliable based on MOT data?
The Mitsubishi Carisma has 12 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe mounting area corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Mitsubishi Carisma most commonly fails on suspension component damaged or corroded and steering rack wear. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are light unit fault and brake hoses perished or damaged.
How do I check a Mitsubishi Carisma's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.