2006 Daihatsu Terios: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Daihatsu Terios?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Daihatsu Terios than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes12.7× usual
  Daihatsu Terios

  14% All 2006 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.7× usual
  Daihatsu Terios

  13% All 2006 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 2.4% of all 2006 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 damage3.5× usual
  Daihatsu Terios

  9.8% All 2006 cars

  2.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.8% of all 2006 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.

• Corroded fuel pipes7.7× usual
  Daihatsu Terios

  5.4% All 2006 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2006 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.

• Suspension arm2.3× usual
  Daihatsu Terios

  7.1% All 2006 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2006 Daihatsu Terios MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Daihatsu Terios MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  54% 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
  35% 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
  25% 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
  24% 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
  22% 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
  14% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Daihatsu Terios

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

1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 12.7× as often on the 2006 Daihatsu Terios as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2006 Daihatsu Terios as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2006 Daihatsu Terios as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?