Daihatsu reliability and common MOT problems by model
Daihatsu shows a 25.5% combined MOT failure rate across 21,033 tests in MOTIntel data. Sirion has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 23.6%. Terios deserves extra checking at 26.9%.
Statistics are built from DVSA MOT tests carried out in calendar year 2023, plus official recall records and MOT fault wording data. Report index generated 2026-05-09.
Daihatsu combined failure rate: 25.5% — all-model average is 18.7%. Ranked #45 of 48 makes by failure rate (1 = lowest). Raw rates reflect each make's fleet age mix — newer fleets naturally fail less.
Sirion (23.6%), Terios (26.9%)
Terios (26.9%), Sirion (23.6%)
Most reliable Daihatsu models in MOT data
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daihatsu Sirion | 23.6% | 8,612 tests | 6,491 vehicles |
| 2 | Daihatsu Terios | 26.9% | 5,887 tests | 4,372 vehicles |
Daihatsu models with the highest MOT failure rates
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daihatsu Terios | 26.9% | 5,887 tests | 4,372 vehicles |
| 2 | Daihatsu Sirion | 23.6% | 8,612 tests | 6,491 vehicles |
Common Daihatsu MOT problem areas
| # | Problem area | MOT notes | Models affected | What to check | High-rate examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corrosion and structure | 13,052 MOT notes | 2 models | Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs. | Daihatsu Terios, Daihatsu Sirion |
| 2 | Suspension and steering | 5,490 MOT notes | 2 models | Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced. | Daihatsu Sirion, Daihatsu Terios |
| 3 | Lights and electrical | 3,060 MOT notes | 2 models | Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying. | Daihatsu Sirion, Daihatsu Terios |
| 4 | Emissions, engine, and exhaust | 2,456 MOT notes | 2 models | Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs. | Daihatsu Terios, Daihatsu Sirion |
| 5 | Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors | 1,320 MOT notes | 2 models | Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear. | Daihatsu Sirion, Daihatsu Terios |
| 6 | Tyres and wheels | 232 MOT notes | 2 models | Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear. | Daihatsu Terios, Daihatsu Sirion |
All Daihatsu model reports
| Model | MOT tests | Vehicles | Failure rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sirion | 8,612 | 6,491 | 23.6% |
| Terios | 5,887 | 4,372 | 26.9% |
| Charade limited data | 1,861 | 1,379 | 28.2% |
| Fourtrak limited data | 1,820 | 1,383 | 27.1% |
| Copen limited data | 1,677 | 1,301 | 22.3% |
| Hijet limited data | 1,176 | 830 | 30.6% |
Models with limited data (fewer than 20,000 tests or 10,000 vehicles) have full reports but are not indexed in search engines until the evidence threshold is met.