Daihatsu Copen MOT Failures

An analysis of 20,216 real DVSA MOT tests on the Daihatsu Copen — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: L880 (2002–2012).

Where the Daihatsu Copen fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Daihatsu Copen is abs fault — this model is 134 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 20,216 MOT tests, 13.93% of all Daihatsu Copen tests recorded this as a failure.

Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.

Other notable weak points include structural corrosion (90x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (52x the fleet average), vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (52x the fleet average), and emissions failure (33x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Daihatsu Copen's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.

The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Bodywork, Seatbelts & Airbags, Exhaust & Emissions, Brakes. If you're inspecting a Daihatsu Copen before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.

How failures change with mileage

The Daihatsu Copen's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.

Under 60,000 miles

At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.

For the Daihatsu Copen specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are structural corrosion (90x the average) and seat mounting fault (52x). vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (52x) and abs fault (49x) also appear frequently.

60,000 to 100,000 miles

This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.

For the Daihatsu Copen specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are structural corrosion (23x the average) and seat mounting fault (21x). vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (20x) and abs fault (18x) also appear frequently.

Known issues beyond the MOT

An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Daihatsu Copen specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Structural corrosion at mounting points Dangerous

The Copen's lightweight construction uses thin steel sections that are highly susceptible to corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points and structural load-bearing areas. Affects L880; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£1,500.

Vehicle structure rigidity loss from corrosion Dangerous

The Copen's convertible body structure is inherently less rigid than a fixed-roof equivalent and relies on strategic strengthening points to maintain structural integrity. Affects L880; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,000–£2,500.

Brake hose ferrule corrosion Dangerous

Brake hose ferrules (the metal crimped ends that connect flexible hoses to rigid brake lines) corrode at extremely high rates on the Copen, with MOT failures at 41.2 times the national average. Affects L880; typical independent garage repair cost is £100–£250.

Wheel bearing excessive play (659cc) Major

Wheel bearings on the 659cc Copen variants develop excessive play at 25.8 times the national average failure rate, typically appearing from 20,000 miles onwards. Affects L880; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Daihatsu Copen common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Daihatsu Copen

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Daihatsu Copen:

Suspension — check for abs fault, suspension component damaged or corroded, wheel bearings worn. Bodywork — check for structural corrosion, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t.... Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion at mounting points and vehicle structure rigidity loss from corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £500. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.

Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.

MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.