Used car guide

2006 Daihatsu Sirion: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Daihatsu Sirions, from 620 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

620MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
3,900typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Daihatsu Sirions than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Ball joint3.2× usual
    Daihatsu Sirion
    20.2% All 2006 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.3%, against 3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.9× usual
    Daihatsu Sirion
    12.3% All 2006 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.5% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Steering swivel joints4.5× usual
    Daihatsu Sirion
    6.3% All 2006 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2006 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.1× usual
    Daihatsu Sirion
    8.2% All 2006 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2006 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.

  • Steering rack4.2× usual
    Daihatsu Sirion
    5% All 2006 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.6% of all 2006 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.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 5.3% here, against 13.7% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Daihatsu Sirion MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    60% 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.

  • Brakes
    37% 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.

  • 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.

  • Tyres
    32% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    14% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Daihatsu Sirion?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009826Suspension 50%
20081,635Suspension 51%
20071,204Suspension 51%
2005606Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Daihatsu Sirions registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score