Daihatsu Fieldman MOT Failures

An analysis of 5,859 real DVSA MOT tests on the Daihatsu Fieldman — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: GEN1 (1993–2002).

Where the Daihatsu Fieldman fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Daihatsu Fieldman is seat mounting fault — this model is 26 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 5,859 MOT tests, 16.96% of all Daihatsu Fieldman tests recorded this as a failure.

Other notable weak points include wheel bearings worn (9.9x the fleet average), free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (87x the fleet average), abs fault (48x the fleet average), and structural corrosion (31x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Daihatsu Fieldman'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: Seatbelts & Airbags, Suspension, Steering, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Daihatsu Fieldman 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 Fieldman'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.

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 Fieldman specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are seat mounting fault (26x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (19x). vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (16x) and wheel bearings worn (9.1x) 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 Fieldman specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (87x the average) and abs fault (48x). suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (43x) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (31x) also appear frequently.

The shift from seat mounting fault at lower mileages to free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.

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 Fieldman specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Chassis and subframe structural corrosion (GEN1) Dangerous

The Fieldman's chassis and mounting points suffer severe corrosion that compromises structural integrity. Affects GEN1; typical independent garage repair cost is £2,000–£5,000.

Excessive steering play (GEN1) Dangerous

The steering system develops excessive free play, with MOT failures at 86.7x the fleet average. Affects GEN1; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.

Suspension component wear (GEN1) Major

Multiple suspension components show accelerated wear patterns, with MOT data showing suspension pins, bushes, and joints failing at 24.9x the fleet average. Affects GEN1; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£1,200.

Wheel bearing wear (GEN1) Major

Wheel bearings develop excessive play at 10.1x the fleet average failure rate. Affects GEN1; 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 Fieldman common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Daihatsu Fieldman

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

Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Suspension — check for wheel bearings worn, anti-roll bar links worn. Steering — check for free play in the steering, measured at the rim .... Bodywork — check for abs fault, structural corrosion, body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t....

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about chassis and subframe structural corrosion and excessive steering play. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £2,000. 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.