Used car guide

2009 Daihatsu Copen: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Daihatsu Copens, from 167 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 167 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

167MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
3,500typical miles a year
35%had brakes flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2009 Daihatsu Copen MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    35% 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
    26% 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
    26% 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
    14% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2008260Brakes 31%
2007232Brakes 36%
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 2009 Daihatsu Copens registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score