2004 Mitsubishi Carisma 1.9L Diesel · DF53 NBZ

The roadworthiness of this vehicle is currently questionable following a failure in its most recent MOT test. While the car maintained a clean history of passes for several years, the failure in August 2022 at 86,876 miles indicates a break in the previously stable maintenance trend. Because no specific defects were listed for that final failure, the vehicle requires a fresh inspection to determine the exact mechanical or structural deficiencies that prevented it from meeting safety standards. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a vehicle from 2004, averaging only approximately 4,000 miles per year. The data shows significant gaps in usage; for instance, the car covered only 1,277 miles between September 2019 and April 2021, and roughly 1,000 miles between the final two recorded tests. While low mileage generally suggests less wear on the engine and drivetrain, long periods of inactivity often lead to degradation of rubber-based components, fluid acidity, and brake corrosion which are not captured by mileage alone. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection focusing on the chassis and suspension mounting, as the age of the vehicle makes it susceptible to structural rust irrespective of low mileage. Given the recent failure and the history of sitting, specific attention should be paid to seized brake calipers, perished hoses, and leaking suspension dampers. The tyres and rubber bushings should also be checked for dry rot and cracking to ensure the low usage has not resulted in neglected safety-critical components.