2007 Daihatsu Charade 1.0L Petrol · RV07 PZP

A clear pattern of persistent mechanical wear has emerged on this 2007 Daihatsu Charade, particularly around the front brake discs, front brake pads, and the nearside front CV joint boot, each of which has been flagged at every MOT for at least the last four consecutive years. The most recent test on 15 June 2026 produced both a fail and a pass on the same day, with the failure listing no additional defect categories beyond what the advisory sheet captured — meaning the failure was almost certainly a paperwork or administrative issue such as a missing or incorrectly completed advisory box, rather than a new mechanical problem. The car has actually accumulated two recorded failures in the 2022 to 2026 window: one in 2022 for an inoperative engine management lamp and a non-functioning offside headlamp, and the 2026 administrative failure. Otherwise the trend across the four-year MOT history is one of stable passage but increasingly worn front braking components, thinning pads now flagged on both sides together, and corrosion setting in on both rear coil springs. Against an age of roughly nineteen years, the recorded mileage of 66,245 miles equates to an annual average of about 3,487 miles, which is low for a vehicle of this vintage. MOT records appear annually between 2022 and 2026, so there is no evidence of any extended lay-up, and the mileage has progressed steadily test-to-test rather than in sudden bursts. Lower annual mileage of this kind typically means slower wear on major drivetrain components such as the clutch, gearbox, and engine internals, but it does increase the likelihood of surface corrosion on exposed steel components like the rear coil springs already noted, and on brake discs that have spent more time sitting damp than scrubbing clean under heavy use. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas to inspect are concentrated at the front end. The front brake discs have been called out as worn, pitted, or scored at every test since 2022, and the pad material is now described as wearing thin on both sides simultaneously, so a test drive should pay close attention to brake pedal feel, any judder or vibration under braking, and the presence of a continuous squeal suggesting the pads are approaching the backing plate. On the road, listen for a clonking or clicking noise from the nearside front under sharp acceleration, tight cornering, or over speed humps, as the CV boot has been flagged as severely deteriorated at four consecutive tests and grease loss from a torn boot will eventually destroy the joint. Both rear coil springs now show corrosion; with the car jacked, inspect the springs for any deep pitting, flaking, or visible loss of material, and listen for a noisy or harsh ride over uneven surfaces that could indicate spring fatigue rather than simple surface rust. Additional items worth a physical check include the rear exhaust silencer, which was noted as loose in 2024, and the headlamp and stop lamp systems, both of which contributed to earlier failures. Confirm that both dipped beams illuminate, that all brake lights activate on pedal pressure, and that the engine management lamp performs its standard bulb check and extinguishes promptly on start-up. Finally, inspect both rear seat belts for any fraying or stiff operation, as a 2022 advisory flagged light damage on both sides, and verify the exhaust tailpipe is correctly secured, having been recorded as detached in 2022 and missing in 2023. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift remains strongly advisable given the accumulation of brake, suspension, and driveline wear flagged over the last four MOT cycles.