Used car guide

2006 Daihatsu Charade: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Daihatsu Charades, from 208 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 208 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

208MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
3,300typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Daihatsu Charades than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Ball joint2.9× usual
    Daihatsu Charade
    18.8% All 2006 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.1%, against 3% of all 2006 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.6× usual
    Daihatsu Charade
    14.4% All 2006 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.6%, against 2.6% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

By area

The share of 2006 Daihatsu Charade MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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.

  • Brakes
    30% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    26% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    19% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    12% 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
2005227Suspension 57%
2004269Suspension 63%
2003195Suspension 62%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Daihatsu Charades registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score