CarCostCheck

DAIHATSU CHARADE (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 405 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,530

£128/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

989cc Petrol

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £1530/year to run. 10 points below average.

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Petrol989cc23 years old405 tests62k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 989cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 989cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,530
Per month£128/mo
Per week£29/wk

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

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Reliability Verdict

72% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%.

At 23 years old, 72% of DAIHATSU CHARADEs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 405 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 62,396 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars251th of 445(top 56%)
Rank among DAIHATSU models35th of 100(top 35%)
vs national average-10%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average+0%(72% avg)
vs DAIHATSU average+1%(71% avg)

Mileage Analysis

62,396

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 DAIHATSU CHARADE has 62,396 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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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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

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About the 2003 DAIHATSU CHARADE

The 2003 DAIHATSU CHARADE is a city car with a 989cc petrol engine. 405 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 62,396 miles at 23 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.

2003 DAIHATSU CHARADE Fuel Costs

The modest 989cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 DAIHATSU CHARADE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,530 128/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% 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 2003 DAIHATSU CHARADE

At 23 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 DAIHATSU CHARADE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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.

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 2003 DAIHATSU CHARADE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
DAIHATSU CHARADE(2003)72%£955£20Grp 1-8£1530
FORD FIESTA(2003)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722+£192
TOYOTA YARIS(2005)73%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722+£192
HONDA JAZZ(2005)70%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722+£192
NISSAN MICRA(2005)72%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£10

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

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