2002 Mitsubishi Carisma — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 762 MOT tests, the 2002 Mitsubishi Carisma recorded a 67.5% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), the 2002 Carisma comes out 5.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.2%) and suspension (17.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 70 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.5% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 33.3% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 43.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.4% in 2021 to 26.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 146 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.3% | 132 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.3% | 109 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 66 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.8% | 52 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 42 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 70 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 59 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 52 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 49 |
| 5 | Joints | 38 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 34 |
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 | 43.4% | 331 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.4% | 270 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.2% | 215 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.6% | 180 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 139 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.6% | 119 |
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 | 106 | 25.5% |
| 60-90k | 154 | 29.2% |
| 90-120k | 245 | 35.1% |
| 120-150k | 156 | 36.5% |
| 150k+ | 78 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 508 | 31.7% |
| Diesel | 254 | 34.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 242 | 31.4% |
| 2022 | 196 | 36.7% |
| 2023 | 142 | 33.1% |
| 2024 | 110 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 72 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Carisma
On a 2002 Carisma, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.3% 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.
- Brakes (14.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2002 Mitsubishi Carismas pass their MOT?
67.5% of the 762 2002 Mitsubishi Carisma MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mitsubishi Carisma?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by suspension (17.3%).
Does the 2002 Carisma get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.5% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 762 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.