At a Glance
The Daihatsu Charade has 16 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk5 (2003-2007) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 101K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Daihatsu Charade common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Daihatsu Charade generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Daihatsu Charade Generations
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Most Common Daihatsu Charade MOT Failures
Every reason Daihatsu Charade vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 11.75% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 9.82% |
| 3 | Exhaust system fault | 5.94% |
| 4 | Stop lamp not working | 5.88% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.47% |
| 6 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.79% |
| 7 | Driveshaft fault | 4.39% |
| 8 | Suspension mounting corroded | 4.38% |
| 9 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 4.14% |
| 10 | Tyre condition | 4.11% |
| 11 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.98% |
| 12 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.81% |
| 13 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.78% |
| 14 | Front lamp not working | 2.58% |
| 15 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.33% |
| 16 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.09% |
| 17 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.06% |
| 18 | Brake pads or linings worn | 1.93% |
| 19 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.75% |
| 20 | Chassis condition | 1.37% |
| 21 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.33% |
| 22 | Rear lamp not working | 1.13% |
| 23 | Rear suspension fault | 0.85% |
| 24 | Track rod end worn | 0.83% |
| 25 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.76% |
| 26 | Indicator fault | 0.67% |
| 27 | Fog lamp not working | 0.66% |
| 28 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.49% |
| 29 | Headlamp fault | 0.48% |
| 30 | Position lamp not working | 0.48% |
| 31 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.47% |
| 32 | Parking brake condition | 0.36% |
| 33 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.35% |
| 34 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.35% |
| 35 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.35% |
| 36 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.34% |
| 37 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.33% |
| 38 | Horn not working | 0.33% |
| 39 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.32% |
| 40 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.32% |
| 41 | Seat belt condition | 0.28% |
| 42 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.25% |
| 43 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.22% |
| 44 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.21% |
| 45 | Steering rack fault | 0.21% |
| 46 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.18% |
| 47 | Front suspension fault | 0.17% |
| 48 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.17% |
| 49 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.16% |
| 50 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.14% |
| 51 | Brake pedal fault | 0.14% |
| 52 | Airbag warning light on | 0.11% |
| 53 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.10% |
| 54 | Brake caliper fault | 0.10% |
| 55 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.10% |
| 56 | Brake fluid leak | 0.10% |
| 57 | CV joint worn | 0.10% |
| 58 | Steering lock fault | 0.08% |
| 59 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.08% |
| 60 | ABS fault | 0.07% |
| 61 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.07% |
| 62 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 63 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.06% |
| 64 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.06% |
| 65 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.05% |
| 66 | Body security fault | 0.05% |
| 67 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.05% |
| 68 | Brake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 69 | Engine oil leak | 0.05% |
| 70 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.05% |
| 71 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.05% |
| 72 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Electrical switch fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Suspension unit fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 77 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.03% |
| 78 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 83 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 84 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.02% |
| 85 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 86 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 87 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 88 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 89 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.02% |
| 90 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 91 | Steering drive system fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 94 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.01% |
| 95 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 96 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.01% |
| 97 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 98 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 102 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 104 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 106 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 108 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | <0.01% |
| 112 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 114 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 118 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 120 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Drag link end worn | <0.01% |
| 122 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 123 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 127 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 129 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 132 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 133 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 134 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 143 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 144 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 145 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 146 | Steering arm worn | <0.01% |
| 147 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
Showing all 149 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Daihatsu Charade MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Daihatsu Charade, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Daihatsu Charade problems?
Based on analysis of 101K Daihatsu Charade MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 16 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Driveshaft fault". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Daihatsu Charade generation has the most problems?
The Daihatsu Charade Mk5 (2003-2007) (2003–2007) has the highest number of identified common problems (16). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Daihatsu Charade?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Daihatsu Charade owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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