1998 Mitsubishi Carisma — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 295 MOT tests, the 1998 Mitsubishi Carisma recorded a 67.1% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 25.8% of the time, so this is 7.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.6%) and suspension (14.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, rigid brake pipes and pins and bushes — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 59 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 36.0% versus 20.0%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 46.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 31.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 40.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 46 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 42 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 33 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.1% | 24 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 21 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.4% | 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 | 59 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 28 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 25 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 5 | Wipers | 17 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 17 |
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 | 46.8% | 138 |
| 2 | Suspension | 40.7% | 120 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.8% | 85 |
| 4 | Other defects | 27.1% | 80 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 49 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.6% | 46 |
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 | 45 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 76 | 31.6% |
| 90-120k | 71 | 40.8% |
| 120-150k | 51 | 33.3% |
| 150k+ | 50 | 36.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 96 | 31.3% |
| 2022 | 65 | 33.9% |
| 2023 | 62 | 33.9% |
| 2024 | 40 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 32 | 40.6% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Carisma
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.2% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (11.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 1998 Mitsubishi Carismas pass their MOT?
67.1% of the 295 1998 Mitsubishi Carisma MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Mitsubishi Carisma?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 1998 Carisma get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 30-60k band to 36.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 295 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.