Used car guide

2008 Daihatsu Terios: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Daihatsu Terioss, from 730 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

730MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,300typical miles a year
15.8×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link bushes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Daihatsu Terioss than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes15.8× usual
    Daihatsu Terios
    15.8% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Coil springs1.7× usual
    Daihatsu Terios
    21.1% All 2008 cars
    12.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 3.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Corroded fuel pipes12.1× usual
    Daihatsu Terios
    8.5% All 2008 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.5× usual
    Daihatsu Terios
    10.4% All 2008 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.9% of all 2008 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

Tread depth: 7% here, against 22.5% of all 2008 cars. Brake discs: 4.5% here, against 14.8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Daihatsu Terios MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    59% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% 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
    20% 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
    16% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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%
2007966Suspension 57%
2006586Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Daihatsu Terioss registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score