CarCostCheck

DAIHATSU CHARADE (1994)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 32 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,737

£145/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1295cc Petrol

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £1737/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific DAIHATSU CHARADE

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol1295cc32 years old32 tests85k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1295cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1295cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,737
Per month£145/mo
Per week£33/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this DAIHATSU CHARADE

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

81% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the DAIHATSU brand average of 71%.

At 32 years old, 81% of DAIHATSU CHARADEs from 1994 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 32 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 85,403 miles.

Got a DAIHATSU CHARADE you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1994 cars71th of 212(top 33%)
Rank among DAIHATSU models8th of 100(top 8%)
vs national average-1%(82% avg)
vs 1994 cars average+5%(76% avg)
vs DAIHATSU average+10%(71% avg)

Mileage Analysis

85,403

Average miles

vs

236,800

Expected for age

The average 1994 DAIHATSU CHARADE has 85,403 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 236,800 miles for a 32-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific DAIHATSU CHARADE?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2003 model with a 72% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 68%. The 1994 sits between the two at 81%.

DAIHATSU CHARADE by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200769%9856,514 mi
200671%41366,575 mi
200569%44763,806 mi
200468%67363,303 mi
200372%40562,396 mi
199660%4054,545 mi
199481%3285,403 mi
199274%4249,867 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Daihatsu Charade

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 1994 DAIHATSU CHARADE

The 1994 DAIHATSU CHARADE is a small family car with a 1295cc petrol engine. 32 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1994, the average MOT pass rate is 76%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 85,403 miles at 32 years old, DAIHATSU CHARADE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1994 DAIHATSU CHARADE Fuel Costs

The 1295cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1994 DAIHATSU CHARADE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,737 145/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

DAIHATSU CHARADE Reliability Trend

The DAIHATSU CHARADE has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1994 DAIHATSU CHARADE

At 32 years old, the DAIHATSU CHARADE is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2003 model has the highest pass rate at 72%. Note: with only 32 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1994 DAIHATSU CHARADE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 85k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1994 DAIHATSU CHARADE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
DAIHATSU CHARADE(1994)81%£1137£195Grp 8-20£1737
ROVER MINI(1993)74%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£15
HONDA CIVIC(1996)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827+£90
FORD ESCORT(1996)77%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£15
NISSAN MICRA(1996)67%£955£30Grp 1-8£1740+£3

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Daihatsu Models

Explore other Daihatsu cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Daihatsu Charade.

Check a specific DAIHATSU CHARADE

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a DAIHATSU CHARADE? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB