Daihatsu Charade car check
Find out if a Charade has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.
Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.
- MOT failure rate
- 23.3%19k tests
- Known problems
- 5across G203
- Full report
- £7.49one-off, no subscription
Which Charade are you looking at?
Each Charade generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.
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Subframe mounting point structural corrosion
Safety risk G203The load-bearing structure around subframe, spring and suspension mounting points suffers severe corrosion that reduces structural integrity. MOT data shows this model fails at 82.7 times the fleet average for structural corrosion in prescribed areas. This is a structural safety issue where the mounting points for critical suspension components deteriorate. The problem appears across all mileage bands and has been worsening over the 2020-2024 period.
What to check: Examine the rear wheel arches from inside the boot, looking for brown rust staining or visible holes around the rear suspension mounting points. Check the front subframe mounting areas by looking up from underneath the engine bay - look for flaky rust, holes, or areas where metal has thinned visi...
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Front suspension swivel pin and bush wear
Wear item G203The stub axle swivel pins and bushes wear excessively on this model, failing MOT at 71.8 times the fleet average. The swivel pin connects the wheel hub to the suspension and allows steering movement. Excessive wear creates dangerous play in the front wheels. The issue affects all mileage bands including very low mileage examples, suggesting a design weakness rather than normal wear.
What to check: Jack up each front wheel and grasp the tyre at 12 and 6 o'clock positions. Rock the wheel up and down - any movement indicates worn wheel bearings or swivel pin wear. Grasp the tyre at 3 and 9 o'clock and rock side to side - excessive movement suggests swivel pin or suspension joint wear. Check f...
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Suspension component wear
Wear item G203Suspension pins, bushes and joints wear at 62.8 times the fleet average rate. The high failure rate across all mileage bands including low-mileage examples suggests inadequate component specification for the vehicle weight and UK road conditions. Worn suspension components compromise handling, braking performance and tyre wear patterns.
What to check: Examine all visible rubber suspension bushes for cracking, splitting or obvious deterioration - pay particular attention to anti-roll bar bushes and lower arm bushes. Look for oil or grease contamination on bushes which accelerates rubber degradation. Check for uneven tyre wear patterns which ind...
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Vehicle structure corrosion
Safety and MOT risk G203General vehicle structure corrosion affects this model at 17 times the fleet average, reducing the rigidity of the body assembly. This is separate from the more serious subframe mounting point corrosion but still represents significant structural deterioration. The corrosion typically affects sills, floor pans, and other load-bearing areas of the body shell.
What to check: Check door frames and sill areas for visible rust, bubbling paint, or holes - lift any floor mats to examine sill condition from inside. Examine the area around the rear wheel arches and spare wheel well for corrosion - this is often the first area to rust through. Look for recently applied under...
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CV joint boot deterioration
Wear item G203The constant velocity joint boots deteriorate at 38.4 times the fleet average. These rubber boots protect the CV joints from dirt and water while retaining the lubricating grease. The high failure rate even at low mileages suggests poor quality rubber or inadequate protection from road debris and oil contamination.
What to check: Examine both CV joint boots on each front wheel - look for splits, tears or missing sections of the rubber boot. Check for grease splatter around the wheel arch or on the inside of the wheel which indicates a failed boot. Look for excessive dirt or water contamination inside torn boots. Check the...
We haven’t flagged any common problems for this generation in our data yet. A history check still tells you about finance, write-offs and theft, and the MOT history shows how this particular car has been looked after.
Charade MOT results
of Charade MOT tests end in a fail, from 19,175 tests.
Most common reasons for failing
- Headlight faultLights & Electrics
- Coil springs brokenSuspension
- Axle or kingpin wearSuspension
Check the Charade you’re buying
One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.
Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.
What the check includes
- Outstanding finance Experian
- Write-off status Experian
- Stolen vehicle check Experian
- Previous owners and keeper history Experian
- MOT history and advisories DVSA
- Mileage check DVSA
- Known problems for its generation GetCarWise
- How many are left on the road DVLA
Charade questions
Is the Daihatsu Charade reliable?
23.3% of Charade models fail their MOT based on 19,175 tests analysed. That’s about average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being subframe mounting point structural corrosion. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.
What are the main problems with a Daihatsu Charade?
The most serious known issues are subframe mounting point structural corrosion, front suspension swivel pin and bush wear, suspension component wear. Our car check flags whether a specific Charade has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.
How do I check if a Daihatsu Charade has outstanding finance?
Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.
How do I check if a Daihatsu Charade has been written off?
Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N Charade has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.
Can I check a Daihatsu Charade for free?
You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.
Is a Daihatsu Charade HPI check worth it?
HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known Charade faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.
What does a Daihatsu Charade fail its MOT on?
The most common MOT failure on the Charade is headlight fault. 23.3% of Charade models fail overall, based on 19,175 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.
More on the Charade
Other Daihatsu car checks
Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.