2009 Daihatsu Terios: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Daihatsu Terios?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Daihatsu Terios than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes19.9× usual
  Daihatsu Terios

  13.9% All 2009 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.2% of all 2009 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.

• Corroded fuel pipes14.8× usual
  Daihatsu Terios

  7.4% All 2009 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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 mountings3.3× usual
  Daihatsu Terios

  7.9% All 2009 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.1% of all 2009 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 damage3.1× usual
  Daihatsu Terios

  4.4% All 2009 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints3.9× usual
  Daihatsu Terios

  2.7% All 2009 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.2% of all 2009 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.

Common 2009 Daihatsu Terios MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Daihatsu Terios MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  46% 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
  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.

• Lights and electrics
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Rust and bodywork
  15% 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
  10% 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 2009 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 19.9× as often on the 2009 Daihatsu Terios as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 14.8× as often on the 2009 Daihatsu Terios as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2009 Daihatsu Terios as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?