Daihatsu Terios MOT Failures
An analysis of 73,300 real DVSA MOT tests on the Daihatsu Terios — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: J100 (1997–2005), J200 (2006–2019).
Where the Daihatsu Terios fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Daihatsu Terios is abs fault — this model is 137 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 73,300 MOT tests, 13.46% of all Daihatsu Terios 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 seat mounting fault (21x the fleet average), emissions failure (41x the fleet average), main load-bearing structural member modified or... (313x the fleet average), and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (135x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Daihatsu Terios'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, Seatbelts & Airbags, Exhaust & Emissions, Bodywork, Brakes. If you're inspecting a Daihatsu Terios 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 Terios'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 Terios specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (135x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (80x). body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (69x) and structural corrosion (63x) 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 Terios specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are main load-bearing structural member modified or... (313x the average) and main load-bearing structural member fractured o... (148x). abs fault (47x) and suspension ball joints worn (23x) 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 Terios specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are main load-bearing structural member modified or... (161x the average) and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that s... (53x). abs fault (52x) and fuel pipe or hose damaged (48x) also appear frequently.
The shift from vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... at lower mileages to main load-bearing structural member modified or... 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 Terios specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Structural corrosion around suspension mountings Dangerous
The Terios suffers from severe structural corrosion in load-bearing areas around suspension and subframe mounting points. Affects J100, J200; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,500.
General body corrosion Major
The problem affects both generations and starts relatively early in the vehicle's life, with failures recorded from 20,000 miles. Affects J100, J200; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£1,500.
Suspension component corrosion and wear Major
The Terios shows exceptionally high rates of suspension component failure, with MOT data recording failures at 80.4x the fleet average for worn suspension pins, bushes and joints. Affects J100, J200; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.
Fuel pipe deterioration (J200) Major
The second-generation Terios shows an unusually high failure rate for fuel pipe damage, with MOT data recording failures at 80.4x the fleet average on the 1.5-litre variant. Affects J200; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£350.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Daihatsu Terios common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Daihatsu Terios
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Daihatsu Terios:
Suspension — check for abs fault, anti-roll bar links worn, suspension ball joints worn. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Bodywork — check for main load-bearing structural member modified or..., vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion around suspension mountings and general body corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. 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.
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Daihatsu Terios MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Daihatsu Terios?
Based on 73,300 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 137x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include seat mounting fault and emissions failure.
Is the Daihatsu Terios reliable based on MOT data?
The Daihatsu Terios has 16 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag structural corrosion around suspension mountings 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 Terios most commonly fails on main load-bearing structural member modified or... and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that s.... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... and anti-roll bar links worn.
How do I check a Daihatsu Terios'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.