Used car guide

2005 Daihatsu Terios: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Daihatsu Terioss, from 290 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 290 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

290MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
4,000typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Daihatsu Terioss than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings3.3× usual
    Daihatsu Terios
    20% All 2005 cars
    6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11%, against 2.7% of all 2005 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage4.7× usual
    Daihatsu Terios
    16.9% All 2005 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 1% of all 2005 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 Terios
    18.3% All 2005 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.3%, against 3.2% of all 2005 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 2005 Daihatsu Terios MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    58% 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
    30% 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
    30% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% 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
    22% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009523Suspension 50%
2008730Suspension 59%
2007966Suspension 57%
2006586Suspension 55%
2004130Suspension 63%
2003118Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Daihatsu Terioss registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score