Used car guide

2009 Daihatsu Sirion: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Daihatsu Sirions, from 826 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

826MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
4,300typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Daihatsu Sirions than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Ball joint3.1× usual
    Daihatsu Sirion
    20.2% All 2009 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.7%, against 3.4% of all 2009 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
    Daihatsu Sirion
    16.9% All 2009 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.2% of all 2009 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.7× usual
    Daihatsu Sirion
    11.3% All 2009 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.6% of all 2009 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.

  • Headlights1.8× usual
    Daihatsu Sirion
    15.3% All 2009 cars
    8.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 3.9% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Corroded fuel pipes10.3× usual
    Daihatsu Sirion
    6.2% All 2009 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 2.5% here, against 10.4% of all 2009 cars. Number plate lights: 3.6% here, against 8.8% of all 2009 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    33% 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.

  • Tyres
    29% 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
    28% 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
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    11% 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.

Looking at a Daihatsu Sirion?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20081,635Suspension 51%
20071,204Suspension 51%
2006620Suspension 60%
2005606Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Daihatsu Sirions registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score