Daihatsu Copen MOT pass rate and common problems
76.4% of 1,897 Daihatsu Copen MOT tests pass.
The Copen passes its MOT 76.4% of the time — well above the average across all Daihatsu models, which sits at 66.9%.
At 76.4%, the Daihatsu Copen passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Daihatsu Copen?
This is the average across every Daihatsu Copen in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Daihatsu’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 87.3% at 10–15 years to 75.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (3) | 3 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 87.3% | 126 | 54,539 miles |
| 15+ years | 75.6% | 1,764 | 60,742 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Daihatsu Copen
The most common reason the Daihatsu Copen fails its MOT is suspension — present in 60.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 60.8% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 42.6% | Not working |
| Brakes | 34.2% | Excessively corroded |
| Body, chassis, structure | 29.5% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 22.2% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Tyres | 17.5% | Has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure |
| Visibility | 17.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 8.6% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 1.5% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.3% | Insecure |
Buying a used Daihatsu Copen: what to check
These checks follow the Daihatsu Copen’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Daihatsu Copen comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 87.3% to 75.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 63.9% down to 51.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 60.8% of failed Daihatsu Copen MOTs. 17.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 6.3% at 10–15 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 42.6% of failed Daihatsu Copen MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 34.2% of failed Daihatsu Copen MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 29.5% of failed Daihatsu Copen MOTs. 8.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 1.6% at 10–15 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 22.2% of failed Daihatsu Copen MOTs. 6.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 1.6% at 10–15 years.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Daihatsu service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Daihatsu models
- Daihatsu Sirion — 66.0% pass rate
- Daihatsu Terios — 64.8% pass rate
- Daihatsu Fourtrak — 68.3% pass rate
- Daihatsu Charade — 63.1% pass rate
- Daihatsu Hijet — 67.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Daihatsu Copen?
- 76.4% of Daihatsu Copen MOT tests pass, based on 1,897 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Daihatsu Copen?
- The most common reason the Daihatsu Copen fails its MOT is suspension — present in 60.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
- What are the common problems with the Daihatsu Copen?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Daihatsu Copen are suspension; lights and electrics; brakes. 17.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 6.3% at 10–15 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Daihatsu Copen?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; bodywork and corrosion; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Daihatsu Copen's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Daihatsu service history guide for how to check and keep one.