2007 Daihatsu Charade — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Daihatsu Charade passed 71.4% of its 434 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as city cars of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, emissions & environmental and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 16.6% of tests against 9.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, ball joint and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 40 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.4% in the 0-30k band and 40.5% in the 90-120k band, a 29.1-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 35.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.6% | 72 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 9.7% | 42 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 39 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 39 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.1% | 31 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.5% | 24 |
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 | 40 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 31 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 27 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 25 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 24 |
| 6 | Wipers | 22 |
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 | 37.6% | 163 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.7% | 129 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.8% | 112 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 66 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.1% | 57 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 36 |
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 | 44 | 11.4% |
| 30-60k | 224 | 23.7% |
| 60-90k | 119 | 38.7% |
| 90-120k | 42 | 40.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 101 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 95 | 27.4% |
| 2023 | 87 | 26.4% |
| 2024 | 74 | 27.0% |
| 2025 | 77 | 35.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Charade
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 16.6% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (16.6% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (9.7% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.0% 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+.
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 2007 Daihatsu Charades pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 434 2007 Daihatsu Charade MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Daihatsu Charade?
Suspension, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (9.7%).
Does the 2007 Charade get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.4% in the 0-30k band to 40.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 434 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.