Used car guide

1998 Daihatsu Fourtrak: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Daihatsu Fourtraks, from 238 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 238 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

238MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 66%)
4,700typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1998 Daihatsu Fourtraks than on all cars registered in 1998.

  • Chassis rust or damage2.8× usual
    Daihatsu Fourtrak
    16% All 1998 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
    Daihatsu Fourtrak
    12.6% All 1998 cars
    5.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.1% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

The share of 1998 Daihatsu Fourtrak MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    29% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Brakes
    23% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    15% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1999176Suspension 48%
1997147Suspension 39%
1996105Suspension 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Daihatsu Fourtraks registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score