Used car guide

2003 Mitsubishi Carisma: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Mitsubishi Carismas, from 200 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 200 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

200MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
4,600typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Mitsubishi Carismas than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
    Mitsubishi Carisma
    16.5% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

The share of 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    60% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    54% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    44% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    33% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    27% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    18% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2004142Suspension 58%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Mitsubishi Carismas registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score