2003 Mitsubishi Carisma 1.9L Diesel · WX53 HSJ
2003 Mitsubishi Carisma (1.9L, diesel). First registered 09 Dec 2003. Recorded mileage 162,225 miles. MOT expired on 11 Nov 2023.
- Make & Model
- MITSUBISHI CARISMA
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Bristol
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 11 Nov 2023
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 162,225 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 1.9L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
WX53 HSJ Key Findings
- 4 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 19/10/2022
- 162,225 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
WX53 HSJ MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
4 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Mitsubishi Carisma (WX53 HSJ) between October 2021 and October 2022.
The record contains 2 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 19 October 2022 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
WX53 HSJ Mileage History
- 29/10/2021139,244 mi
- 09/11/2021140,004 mi+760 mi
- 19/10/2022162,224 mi+22,220 mi
- 19/10/2022162,225 mi+1 mi
Average of roughly 23,624 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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Known faults for Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Carisma
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Common Problems: MITSUBISHI CARISMA
Known issues reported by owners and MOT testers.
- Corroded brake pipes(Moderate)
Corroded brake pipes are the most common MOT advisory on the UK Carisma fleet, recorded on 35.3% of all tests in one DVSA-data analysis, with a further 7.0% of tests carrying structural-corrosion notes. Salt and water corrode the thin-walled pipes, especially at the rear axle, and a badly corroded or burst pipe means loss of a brake circuit - an MOT failure and a serious safety issue. Sticking rear brake callipers, which squeal even with the pedal released, are another known Carisma brake complaint. These are now 20-year-old cars: assume nothing about the brake system until you have seen it.
- Structural corrosion of sills and subframes(Serious)
DVSA-based analysis records corrosion and structure as the clearest problem area for the Carisma, with 86.5 structural notes per 100 MOT tests and wording such as 'prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength'. Sills, subframes and mounting points rot from the inside out, and corrosion near seat-belt anchorages is an immediate MOT failure. Surface rust is cosmetic; perforated sills or a soft subframe are expensive to weld and can make the car uneconomic. Any Carisma bought without a recent underside inspection is a gamble.
- Carbon build-up on the 1.8 GDI engine(Moderate)
The 1.8-litre GDI direct-injection petrol was designed for superunleaded; on ordinary fuel it builds carbon in the throttle body and combustion chambers, causing erratic idle, misfiring and lack of power, and What Car? warns of engine-failure risk around 60,000 miles if ignored. BreakerYard lists blocked GDI throttle bodies as a known Carisma fault, curable by cleaning the throttle body, while neglected examples can need far more extensive work. Ask which fuel the seller used and listen for a lumpy idle when cold.
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MITSUBISHI CARISMA Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2003 model year cars.
- Corroded brake pipesModerate
Corroded brake pipes are the most common MOT advisory on the UK Carisma fleet, recorded on 35.3% of all tests in one DVSA-data analysis, with a further 7.0% of tests carrying structural-corrosion notes. Salt and water corrode the thin-walled pipes, especially at the rear axle, and a badly corroded or burst pipe means loss of a brake circuit - an MOT failure and a serious safety issue. Sticking rear brake callipers, which squeal even with the pedal released, are another known Carisma brake complaint. These are now 20-year-old cars: assume nothing about the brake system until you have seen it.
- Structural corrosion of sills and subframesSerious
DVSA-based analysis records corrosion and structure as the clearest problem area for the Carisma, with 86.5 structural notes per 100 MOT tests and wording such as 'prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength'. Sills, subframes and mounting points rot from the inside out, and corrosion near seat-belt anchorages is an immediate MOT failure. Surface rust is cosmetic; perforated sills or a soft subframe are expensive to weld and can make the car uneconomic. Any Carisma bought without a recent underside inspection is a gamble.
- Carbon build-up on the 1.8 GDI engineModerate
The 1.8-litre GDI direct-injection petrol was designed for superunleaded; on ordinary fuel it builds carbon in the throttle body and combustion chambers, causing erratic idle, misfiring and lack of power, and What Car? warns of engine-failure risk around 60,000 miles if ignored. BreakerYard lists blocked GDI throttle bodies as a known Carisma fault, curable by cleaning the throttle body, while neglected examples can need far more extensive work. Ask which fuel the seller used and listen for a lumpy idle when cold.
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