Used car guide

2007 Daihatsu Copen: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Daihatsu Copens, from 232 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 232 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

232MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
3,600typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Daihatsu Copens than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings3.2× usual
    Daihatsu Copen
    14.7% All 2007 cars
    4.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 2.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Rigid brake pipes2× usual
    Daihatsu Copen
    22% All 2007 cars
    11.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.8% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

By area

The share of 2007 Daihatsu Copen MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    36% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    29% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    25% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    16% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    9% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Daihatsu Copen?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009167Brakes 35%
2008260Brakes 31%
2006130Suspension 33%
2005118Suspension 36%
2004238Suspension 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2007 Daihatsu Copens registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score