1997 Mitsubishi Carisma — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 288 MOT tests, the 1997 Mitsubishi Carisma recorded a 76.0% pass rate. That is 1.3 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.5% of all tests — 6.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, wipers and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 24 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.4% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 28.9% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 47.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.1% in 2024, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 39 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.6% | 19 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.6% | 19 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.3% | 18 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 17 |
| 6 | Brakes | 5.6% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 24 |
| 2 | Wipers | 18 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 13 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 13 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 12 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 47.2% | 136 |
| 2 | Suspension | 40.6% | 117 |
| 3 | Other defects | 26.7% | 77 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 26.7% | 77 |
| 5 | Tyres | 26.0% | 75 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 51 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 49 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 84 | 22.6% |
| 90-120k | 47 | 25.5% |
| 120-150k | 59 | 23.7% |
| 150k+ | 38 | 28.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87 | 18.4% |
| 2022 | 79 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 60 | 26.7% |
| 2024 | 38 | 21.1% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Carisma
On a 1997 Carisma, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (6.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1997 Mitsubishi Carismas pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 288 1997 Mitsubishi Carisma MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Mitsubishi Carisma?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by suspension (6.6%).
Does the 1997 Carisma get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.4% in the 30-60k band to 28.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 288 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.