Daihatsu Charade (1996)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 40 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,383

£199/month

MOT Pass Rate

60%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1296cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

60% pass rate, £2,383/year to run. 22 points below average.

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Petrol1296cc30 years old40 tests55k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1296cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,383

Per month£199/mo

Per week£46/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

60% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 22 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Daihatsu brand average of 71%.

60% of MOT tests on Daihatsu Charades from 1996 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 28 years old. That's based on 40 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 54,545 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 models234th of 243(bottom 5%)

Rank among Daihatsu models99th of 100(bottom 2%)

vs average of all models-22%(82% avg)

vs 1996 models average-15%(75% avg)

vs Daihatsu average-11%(71% avg)

Mileage Analysis

54,545

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1996 Daihatsu Charade had 54,545 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2003 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 72%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 68%. The 1996 scores 60%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Daihatsu Charade by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2007	69%	98	56,514 mi
2006	71%	413	66,575 mi
2005	69%	447	63,806 mi
2004	68%	673	63,303 mi
2003	72%	405	62,396 mi
1996	60%	40	54,545 mi
1994	81%	32	85,403 mi
1992	74%	42	49,867 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1998 · 1597cc Petrol

£2,328/year

75%

+15%

BMW 3 Series

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,561/year

79%

+19%

Nissan Micra

1998 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,383/year

69%

+9%

Toyota Starlet

1998 · 1332cc Petrol

£2,183/year

75%

+15%

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About the 1996 Daihatsu Charade

The 1996 Daihatsu Charade is a small family car. Our records list a 1296cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 40 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 5% of 1996 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 54,545 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

1996 Daihatsu Charade Fuel Costs

The 1296cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1996 Daihatsu Charade?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,383 (£199/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 60% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

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 1996 Daihatsu Charade

At 30 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 40 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 60% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 1996 Daihatsu Charade stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Daihatsu Charade(1996)	60%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,383
Mazda MX-5(1998)	75%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£55
BMW 3 Series(1998)	79%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£178
Nissan Micra(1998)	69%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,383same
Toyota Starlet(1998)	75%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1996 Daihatsu Charade

Is the 1996 Daihatsu Charade reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 60% of MOT tests on 1996 Daihatsu Charades ended in a pass, from 40 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 22 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1996 Daihatsu Charade cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,383 a year (£199 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 Daihatsu Charade?

60% of 40 MOT tests on the 1996 Daihatsu Charade ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 234th of 243 models first registered in 1996 (bottom 5%).

Which year Daihatsu Charade has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2003 Daihatsu Charade has the highest MOT pass rate at 72% and the 2004 the lowest at 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1996 Daihatsu Charade?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1996 Daihatsu Charade is 54,545 miles, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.