Most Reliable Daihatsu Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 18,977 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Daihatsu models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
18,977 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Daihatsu model from 1996-2020
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Daihatsu COPEN
68.7% pass rate
Best Single Year
SIRION 2009 Petrol
69.1% pass rate
Daihatsu vs National Average
61.6% vs 71.4%
-9.9% below average
Proven Durability Champion
COPEN
+17.0% at 15-17 years
Daihatsu ranks #170 out of 180 manufacturers with 18,977 MOT tests in our database. We analysed this data to identify which Daihatsu models deliver the best reliability.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering Daihatsu models sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Daihatsu Compares to Rivals
Daihatsu ranks #170 out of 180 manufacturers with a 61.6% average MOT pass rate. That's below the national average of 71.4%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 73.8% | #115 | 1,637,457 |
| Volkswagen | 71.9% | #129 | 3,034,850 |
| Nissan | 68.6% | #142 | 1,626,183 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #143 | 4,473,074 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #155 | 3,052,659 |
| Daihatsu | 61.6% | #170 | 18,977 |
The verdict: Toyota maintains a lead among competitors, while Daihatsu sits at #170.
Best Daihatsu Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Daihatsu's core models rank against the 71.4% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.4%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COPEN | 68.7% | -2.8% | 1,382 | 1996-2020 |
| SIRION | 63.2% | -8.2% | 6,888 | 1998-2011 |
| TERIOS | 59.9% | -11.5% | 4,623 | 1997-2020 |
* Compared to overall 71.4% national average across all years. For year-adjusted comparisons that account for newer cars passing more often, see individual model breakdowns below.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Daihatsu Models Age Best?
These Daihatsu models show solid long-term reliability based on 11+ years of MOT data. Here's how they compare to the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 100+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COPEN | - | All | +17.0% | 15-17 years | 74.9% |
| MATERIA | - | All | +9.8% | 15-17 years | 67.6% |
| SIRION | - | All | +7.0% | 15-17 years | 64.9% |
| COPEN | - | All | +6.1% | 18-20 years | 62.3% |
| TERIOS | - | All | +5.5% | 15-17 years | 63.4% |
| SIRION | - | All | +4.0% | 18-20 years | 60.2% |
| CHARADE | - | All | +1.1% | 18-20 years | 57.2% |
| TERIOS | - | All | +0.4% | 18-20 years | 56.6% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Proven durability champion
The COPEN outperforms the average 15-17 years-old car by 17 percentage points, with 696 MOT tests proving its reliability.
Daihatsu Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Here's how Daihatsu's fuel types compare:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 61.7% | -9.7% | 17,189 |
| Diesel | 60.0% | -11.5% | 1,752 |
What Goes Wrong on Daihatsus?
When Daihatsus fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Suspension | 3,067 |
| 2. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2,764 |
| 3. Brakes | 2,050 |
| 4. Body, chassis, structure | 1,807 |
| 5. Visibility | 1,303 |
| 6. Noise, emissions and leaks | 1,191 |
| 7. Tyres | 840 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Daihatsu owners:
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- Limited data for recent models
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- COPEN (15-17 years): +12% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- MATERIA (15-17 years): +10% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- SIRION (15-17 years): +6% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- TERIOS (15-17 years): +3% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Daihatsu Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- TERIOS (21+ years): -10% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average at 21+ years)
- HIJET (21+ years): -6% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average at 21+ years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 18,977 tests on Daihatsu vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 100 tests for proven durability rankings, 100 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.44% based on 32,300,000 tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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