2003 Daihatsu Charade — MOT failures & pass rate
1,780 MOT tests on the 2003 Daihatsu Charade are in this dataset, and 71.4% of them passed. That is effectively the same as city cars of a similar age (29.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 16.0% of tests against 10.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, ball joint and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 179 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.9% in the 0-30k band and 36.6% in the 120-150k band, a 15.6-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 45.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.0% | 285 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 186 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 171 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 135 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.8% | 121 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.6% | 118 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 179 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 128 |
| 3 | Wipers | 102 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 83 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 83 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 81 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 45.3% | 806 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.8% | 477 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.5% | 401 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.3% | 344 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 227 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.4% | 221 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 148 | 20.9% |
| 30-60k | 795 | 26.7% |
| 60-90k | 597 | 31.5% |
| 90-120k | 193 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 41 | 36.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 495 | 29.9% |
| 2022 | 401 | 26.2% |
| 2023 | 365 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 283 | 26.9% |
| 2025 | 236 | 28.8% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Charade
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 16.0% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (16.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Lighting & signalling (9.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2003 Daihatsu Charades pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 1,780 2003 Daihatsu Charade MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Daihatsu Charade?
Suspension, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (10.4%).
Does the 2003 Charade get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.9% in the 0-30k band to 36.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,780 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.