The picture
Carisma: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 1,314 MOT tests, the Carisma returns 63.5% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a defective headlamp lens. A torn suspension dust cover and a split CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 104,777, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
132 occurrences · 10.0% of tests
- 02
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
117 occurrences · 8.9% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
86 occurrences · 6.5% of tests
- 04
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
82 occurrences · 6.2% of tests
- 05
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
76 occurrences · 5.8% of tests
- 06
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
73 occurrences · 5.6% of tests
- 07
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
68 occurrences · 5.2% of tests
- 08
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
66 occurrences · 5.0% of tests
- 09
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
57 occurrences · 4.3% of tests
- 10
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
56 occurrences · 4.3% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 4 failures
£140–£490
If every one of this Carisma's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a Carisma?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Carisma and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.