Daihatsu Charade (1994)
1994 Daihatsu Charade
CarHunch analysed 925 real MOT records for the 1994 Daihatsu Charade. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1994 Daihatsu Charade struggles at MOT time, with a first-time pass rate of just 66.7%—well below the UK average of 80%—suggesting these nearly 30-year-old cars are hitting genuine mechanical trouble. The 11% rate of dangerous defects is manageable, but the average 2.2 failures per test means most fail on multiple counts.
These Charades average 74,215 miles, which is reasonable for their age, but the 6.1 advisories per vehicle reveal widespread minor wear across suspension, lights, and brake components. If you're considering one, budget for pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who knows Japanese microcars, because the MOT pass rate tells you that cosmetic tidiness often masks underlying issues.
What to check before buying a 1994 Daihatsu Charade
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Daihatsu Charade
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 921 | 66.9% | 2.21 |
| Diesel (0%) | 4 | 12.5% | 0.25 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1994 Daihatsu Charade vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1994 Daihatsu Charade vehicles fall between 53,782 and 93,336 miles.
1994 Daihatsu Charade — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (8% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1994 Daihatsu Charade
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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27.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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22.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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18.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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16.3%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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15.1%
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
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14.5%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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14.2%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1994. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Daihatsu Charade?
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