Daihatsu Fourtrak MOT Failures
An analysis of 35,308 real DVSA MOT tests on the Daihatsu Fourtrak — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: F70 (1985–2002).
Where the Daihatsu Fourtrak fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Daihatsu Fourtrak is seat mounting fault — this model is 285 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 35,308 MOT tests, 11.58% of all Daihatsu Fourtrak tests recorded this as a failure.
Other notable weak points include track rod ends worn (4507x the fleet average), fixings missing or insecure (780x the fleet average), free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (498x the fleet average), and structural corrosion (259x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Daihatsu Fourtrak'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, Steering, Bodywork, Suspension. If you're inspecting a Daihatsu Fourtrak 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 Fourtrak'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 Fourtrak specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (498x the average) and structural corrosion (259x). body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (101x) and seat mounting fault (99x) 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 Fourtrak specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fixings missing or insecure (780x the average) and towbar fault (383x). free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (214x) and seat mounting fault (56x) 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 Fourtrak specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are track rod ends worn (812x the average) and steering rack wear (190x). free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (137x) and fixings missing or insecure (87x) also appear frequently.
The shift from free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... at lower mileages to track rod ends worn 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 Fourtrak specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Structural corrosion at mounting points (F70/F75) Dangerous
The Fourtrak suffers from severe structural corrosion at critical mounting points including subframe, suspension, and body mounting areas. Affects F70/F75; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£4,000.
Steering system wear (F70/F75) Major
The Fourtrak steering system exhibits excessive wear rates, with MOT data showing free play failures at 214 times the fleet average and ball joint wear at 47 times normal rates. Affects F70/F75; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.
Suspension component wear (F70/F75) Major
Multiple suspension components wear at accelerated rates on the Fourtrak, with MOT data showing failures at 41-43 times the fleet average for bushes, joints, and pins. Affects F70/F75; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.
Wheel bearing wear (F70/F75) Major
Wheel bearings on the Fourtrak fail at 45 times the fleet average rate according to MOT data. Affects F70/F75; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£250.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Daihatsu Fourtrak common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Daihatsu Fourtrak
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Daihatsu Fourtrak:
Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Steering — check for track rod ends worn, free play in the steering, measured at the rim .... Bodywork — check for fixings missing or insecure, structural corrosion, body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point, towbar fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion at mounting points and steering system wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £1,500. 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.
Looking at a specific Daihatsu Fourtrak?
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Daihatsu Fourtrak MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Daihatsu Fourtrak?
Based on 35,308 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is seat mounting fault — at 285x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include track rod ends worn and fixings missing or insecure.
Is the Daihatsu Fourtrak reliable based on MOT data?
The Daihatsu Fourtrak has 19 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag structural corrosion at mounting points 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 Fourtrak most commonly fails on track rod ends worn and steering rack wear. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... and structural corrosion.
How do I check a Daihatsu Fourtrak'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.