2004 Mitsubishi Carisma 1.6L Petrol · WM04 ABK

The vehicle presents a questionable maintenance profile characterized by a trend of reactive repairs rather than preventative care. While it passed its most recent test in February 2024 at 87,882 miles, the history reveals a failure to address recurring mechanical issues across multiple inspections. The transition from a failure in February 2024 to a pass the following day suggests that the owner only addressed faults when legally compelled to maintain roadworthiness, indicating a minimum-effort approach to vehicle upkeep. At 22 years old, the recorded mileage of 87,882 miles is remarkably low, averaging only approximately 4,000 miles per year. However, the data shows a significant gap in usage between September 2021 at 85,443 miles and March 2023 at 87,203 miles, covering fewer 2,000 miles in over eighteen months. This pattern of infrequent use often leads to the degradation of rubber-based components and seals, which is consistent with the persistent failures of ball joint dust covers noted in the record. A buyer must scrutinise the front suspension assembly specifically, as the tester flagged severely deteriorated lower suspension arm ball joint dust covers on both the offside and nearside sides in both 2023 and 2024. These components, if neglected, allow moisture into the joints leading to premature wear and steering instability. Furthermore, the recurring reports of thin brake pads on both the front and rear axles across three years suggests that the braking system has been ignored until components reached critical wear limits. The non-excessive oil leak identified in early 2024 requires a close physical inspection to determine if it is a minor gasket seep or a more significant seal failure. Given the low mileage and age of the car, the buyer should also check for structural corrosion on the chassis and brake lines, which often affects vehicles that sit for long periods. The previous failure regarding an inoperative MIL light in 2024 also indicates potential electrical or sensor issues that should be verified with a diagnostic tool to ensure no hidden engine faults remain.