Used car guide

2003 Daihatsu Charade: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Daihatsu Charades, from 195 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 195 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

195MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
2,700typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Daihatsu Charades than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Ball joint3.3× usual
    Daihatsu Charade
    20.5% All 2003 cars
    6.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
    Daihatsu Charade
    15.9% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

The share of 2003 Daihatsu Charade MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    62% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    29% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    22% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Rust and bodywork
    18% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    16% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006208Suspension 54%
2005227Suspension 57%
2004269Suspension 63%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Daihatsu Charades registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score