Daihatsu Sirion common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Daihatsu Sirion, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 18,251 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 1998 Daihatsu Sirion
Too few Daihatsu Sirion cars first registered in 1998 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Daihatsu Sirion as a whole.
What to check on a 1998 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with a Daihatsu Sirion?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Daihatsu Sirion in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Daihatsu Sirion MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Ball joint
up to 3.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Anti-roll bar link joints
up to 2.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Corroded fuel pipes
up to 9.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2009.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
Rigid brake pipes
up to 2.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
Steering swivel joints
up to 5× usualStands out on cars registered in 2005 and 2007.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt 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 joints
up to 2.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2008.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Daihatsu Sirion MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2009 Daihatsu Sirion did best (65% passed first time, 6 points above all 2009 cars) and the 2005 did worst (57%, 0 points above all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 68% | 60% +8 | 333 (small sample) |
| 2009 | 65% | 59% +6 | 2,649 |
| 2008 | 63% | 57% +6 | 5,420 |
| 2007 | 62% | 57% +5 | 4,040 |
| 2006 | 59% | 56% +3 | 2,144 |
| 2005 | 57% | 57% +0 | 2,124 |
| 2004 | 56% | 57% -1 | 305 (small sample) |
| 2003 | 60% | 57% +3 | 381 (small sample) |
| 2002 | 59% | 58% +1 | 361 (small sample) |
| 2001 | 53% | 60% -7 | 212 (small sample) |
| 2000 | 56% | 61% -5 | 146 (small sample) |
| 1999 | 58% | 63% -5 | 136 (small sample) |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Daihatsu Sirion
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Daihatsu Sirion as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Daihatsu Sirion as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 9.6× as often on the Daihatsu Sirion as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Daihatsu Sirion?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score