2004 Daihatsu Charade 1.0L Petrol · FP53 NCF

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile with a clear trend of worsening structural and mechanical degradation. While it passed its most recent test on 30 September 2025 at 109,436 miles, this followed a significant failure on the same day. The tester identified a critical structural failure on the offside rear chassis due to excessive corrosion seriously affecting strength near a body mounting point. Although the hydraulic brake leak appears to be rectified, the presence of deep underbody corrosion suggests the vehicle is reaching the end of its viable structural life. At approximately 22 years old, the recorded mileage of 109,436 miles represents an average of under 5,000 miles per year. This low usage pattern suggests the car has sat stationary for long periods, which often explains the advanced state of rubber components and metal surfaces. Between October 2023 at 105,120 miles and September 2024 at 107,314 miles, the vehicle covered only 2,194 miles, yet the mechanical failures continued to accumulate due to age-related wear. A buyer must conduct a rigorous physical inspection of the underbody, specifically focusing on the offside rear structure and sills where corrosion was noted. The history shows a recurring pattern of suspension neglect, including corroded coil springs, worn ball joints, and deteriorated arm bushes that have appeared across multiple years. The front brake discs are noted as pitted and scored, indicating that basic maintenance has been reactive rather than proactive. Given the persistent deterioration of the dust covers and rubber bushings, the vehicle likely requires significant mechanical investment to remain reliable in the short term.