Family SUV · 1997–2020 cars
Daihatsu Terios reliability
The Daihatsu Terios fails 39.8% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 15,268 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Daihatsu Terios before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 39.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 15,268
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Daihatsu Terios ages
Each point is the share of Daihatsu Terioss of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Daihatsu Terios | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 24.3% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 28.6% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 32.8% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 38.6% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 40.2% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 43.1% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 47.1% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 49.7% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 51.3% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 46.2% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 51.4% | 40.6% |
By year
The best and worst Daihatsu Terios years
2009 cars come out best and 2005 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Terios | 1,905 | 29.3% | 23% fewer fails | 78,550 |
| 2008 Terios | 2,889 | 36.1% | 10% fewer fails | 86,451 |
| 2007 Terios | 3,982 | 38.8% | 6% fewer fails | 88,689 |
| 2006 Terios | 2,541 | 40.3% | 3% fewer fails | 88,425 |
| 2005 Terios | 1,362 | 48.5% | 19% more fails | 80,386 |
| 2004 | 753 | 52.2% | 27% more fails | 80,695 |
| 2003 | 687 | 49.2% | 17% more fails | 84,168 |
| 2002 | 360 | 47.5% | 16% more fails | 88,014 |
| 2001 | 245 | 51.4% | 29% more fails | 86,593 |
| 1999 | 231 | 42.9% | 24% more fails | 73,280 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Daihatsu Terios
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 72% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension18%18% above avg
- Lights and electrics12.6%33% below avg
- Brakes12.5%14% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure12.3%72% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.8%14% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.4%6% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags3.5%71% above avg
- Steering3.5%11% above avg
- Tyres3.3%50% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 7.26% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 2
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.73% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 3
Position lamp not working 3.71% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.65% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.27% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 6
Stop lamp not working 3.01% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 7
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.82% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 8
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.44% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Daihatsu Terios's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.94%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion10.46%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy10.18%
- Anti-roll bar linkage pin/bush worn10.13%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear9.3%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit7.55%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Daihatsu Terios
- 1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 2
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Daihatsu Terios covers about 6,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol99.7%
- Diesel0.2%
- LPG0.1%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Black, Grey, Green
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Daihatsu Terios compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi e-tron | 7.9% | 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Stelvio | 10.1% | 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Daihatsu Terios | 39.8% | about average for its age |
| SEAT Tarraco | 14.2% | about average for its age |
| DS7 | 15.8% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Koleos | 26% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Korando | 31.8% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Daihatsu models.
Questions
Daihatsu Terios questions, answered
Is the Daihatsu Terios reliable?
On MOT results, the Daihatsu Terios is about average: it fails 39.8% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 39 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Daihatsu Terios MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Daihatsu Terios are suspension mounting area seriously corroded (7.26% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (3.73% of tests), position lamp not working (3.71% of tests). By area, suspension fails 18% of its tests.
Which Daihatsu Terios year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2009 cars do best (23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2005 cars do worst (19% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Daihatsu Terios do a year?
A typical Daihatsu Terios covers about 6,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Daihatsu Terios before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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