Used car guide

2008 Daihatsu Copen: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Daihatsu Copen first registered in 2008: we looked at the 788 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

788MOTs of 2008 cars, done in 2023–2025
76%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
3,600typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Daihatsu Copen?

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

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.3× usual
    Daihatsu Copen
    8.1% All 2008 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.6% 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: 7.5% here, against 22.8% of all 2008 cars. Coil springs: 3.4% here, against 11.4% of all 2008 cars.

Common 2008 Daihatsu Copen MOT failures and advisories

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

  • Brakes
    29% 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
    23% 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.

  • Suspension
    22% 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
    16% 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
    7% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    7% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Daihatsu Copen

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Daihatsu Copen as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Daihatsu Copen?

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

Other years

Every year of the Daihatsu Copen compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009506Brakes 32%
2007709Brakes 37%
2006414Suspension 33%
2005360Suspension 29%
2004777Suspension 34%
2003259Brakes 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Daihatsu Copen cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score