Daihatsu Extol MOT Failures
An analysis of 7,504 real DVSA MOT tests on the Daihatsu Extol — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: GEN1 (2000–2013).
Where the Daihatsu Extol fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Daihatsu Extol is vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... — this model is 49 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 7,504 MOT tests, 12.15% of all Daihatsu Extol tests recorded this as a failure.
Bodywork failures usually mean structural corrosion — not cosmetic rust, but rot that affects the car's structural integrity. Check sills, subframes, and chassis rails carefully, especially on older examples.
Other notable weak points include abs fault (46x the fleet average), structural corrosion (72x the fleet average), emissions failure (28x the fleet average), and track rod ends worn (14x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Daihatsu Extol'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 4 categories: Bodywork, Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Steering. If you're inspecting a Daihatsu Extol 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 Extol'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 Extol specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are structural corrosion (72x the average) and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (49x). abs fault (46x) and emissions failure (28x) 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 Extol specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are structural corrosion (58x the average) and abs fault (25x). vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (17x) and wheel bearings worn (17x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Daihatsu Extol specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are structural corrosion (17x the average) and abs fault (14x). track rod ends worn (8.1x) and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (7.7x) 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 Extol specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Severe structural corrosion compromising vehicle rigidity Dangerous
The Extol suffers from extremely poor corrosion resistance with structural components corroding to the point where vehicle rigidity is compromised. Affects GEN1.
Subframe and suspension mounting point corrosion Dangerous
Critical corrosion occurs at subframe and suspension component mounting points, failing MOT tests at 46-58 times the national average. Affects GEN1.
Brake caliper binding and seizure Major
Brake calipers bind at 10 times the national fleet average, indicating premature seizure of the sliding mechanism or piston. Affects GEN1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Suspension and steering joint dust cover failure
Rubber dust covers protecting suspension joints and steering components deteriorate at 13-18 times the national average, exposing ball joints and CV joints to contamination. Affects GEN1; typical independent garage repair cost is £40–£80.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Daihatsu Extol common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Daihatsu Extol
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Daihatsu Extol:
Bodywork — check for vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t..., structural corrosion. Suspension — check for abs fault, suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, wheel bearings worn, subframe bushes or mounts worn. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about severe structural corrosion compromising vehicle rigidity and subframe and suspension mounting point corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — 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.
Looking at a specific Daihatsu Extol?
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Daihatsu Extol MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Daihatsu Extol?
Based on 7,504 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... — at 49x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include abs fault and structural corrosion.
Is the Daihatsu Extol reliable based on MOT data?
The Daihatsu Extol has 9 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag severe structural corrosion compromising vehicle rigidity as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Daihatsu Extol most commonly fails on structural corrosion and abs fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are structural corrosion and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t....
How do I check a Daihatsu Extol's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
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.