1998 Mitsubishi Carisma 1.9L Diesel · R162 AKU

A consistently clean DVSA record defines this 28 year old Mitsubishi Carisma, with the most recent assessment on 4 March 2025 returning a pass and no advisories or defects recorded against the vehicle. Across the five available test entries spanning 2022 through 2025, the car has passed every examination with no advisories logged, and the only interruption in that sequence is a failed test on 3 March 2025 that was immediately followed by a pass the following day. This pattern of same-day or next-day retest suggests a minor or easily rectified issue was identified and corrected without any structural or mechanical consequence recorded on file. Overall, the trajectory is one of stable roadworthiness with no evidence of recurring component failures, advisory patterns, or emerging deterioration in the items DVSA routinely inspects, which for a vehicle of this age is an unusually tidy presentation. Against the 28 year service life, the recorded mileage of 144,420 miles equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 5,158 miles, which is low for the platform and points to either genuinely light use or extended periods of standing off the public road. The MOT history itself shows unbroken annual testing from 2022 through 2025, so there is no evidence of a long SORN lay-up that might raise concerns about seized brakes, deteriorated rubber, or flat-spotted tyres. However, the low annual mileage combined with the absence of any mileage-correlated wear advisories such as brake disc corrosion, suspension bush deterioration, or exhaust corrosion indicates that whatever driving has been undertaken has not placed significant mechanical stress on the consumable or chassis components. Mechanically, this usage profile means the engine, transmission, and drivetrain have accumulated wear consistent with the odometer reading rather than the calendar age, but it also means items that degrade through time rather than use, such as rubber boots, polymer bushes, coolant hoses, and electrical insulation, may have aged more than the mileage suggests. For a prospective buyer, the absence of recorded advisories means there are no specific flagged components to target, but the age of the vehicle still warrants focused inspection on areas that DVSA does not always comment on until deterioration becomes pronounced. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as worn anti-roll bar drop links, wishbone bushes, and front strut top mountings are common failure points on Carisma chassis components of this vintage. Check for vibration through the steering wheel under braking, which on this platform can indicate binding front caliper slides or warped front discs, and feel for any pulling to one side that might suggest a seized rear caliper or uneven pad wear. At idle, listen for a timing belt rattle on cold start, as the 1.6 and 1.8 petrol engines fitted to this generation are due for replacement at five year intervals and there is no record of such work in the MOT file. Under the vehicle, inspect the front subframe, engine mounting brackets, and brake pipe runs along the chassis rails for any surface corrosion or flaking, as these are areas where DVSA will flag advisories on early rust formation. Examine the condition of the rear silencer and intermediate exhaust sections, as a 28 year old exhaust system may show external corrosion even if the on-test emissions result remained clean. Confirm the cooling system is fully pressurised with no coolant residue around the water pump, thermostat housing, or radiator end tanks, and check the underside of the engine for any signs of oil misting or weeping from the camshaft cover or front crankshaft seal. Finally, verify that the handbrake holds firmly on a steep incline, as the rear drum handbrake mechanism on this model is known to lose efficiency if the shoes have not been adjusted during periods of light use, and confirm the clutch take-up point is firm and progressive without judder, which would indicate flywheel or release bearing wear on a vehicle that has clearly been exercised sparingly throughout its life.