Used car guide · 1997–2010

Daihatsu Terios common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Daihatsu Terios, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 12,058 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2010 Daihatsu Terios

Too few Daihatsu Terios cars first registered in 2010 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 Terios as a whole.

12on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 2010 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).

20102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997

What usually goes wrong with a Daihatsu Terios?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Daihatsu Terios 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 Terios 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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 damage

    up to 4.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009.

    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 link bushes

    up to 19.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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 pipes

    up to 14.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 4.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Daihatsu Terios MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2009 Daihatsu Terios did best (67% passed first time, 8 points above all 2009 cars) and the 2005 did worst (51%, 6 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200967%59% +81,645
200863%57% +62,389
200760%57% +33,270
200659%56% +32,026
200551%57% -61,050
200449%57% -8535
200351%57% -6477 (small sample)
200250%58% -8236 (small sample)
200152%60% -8178 (small sample)
200050%61% -11106 (small sample)
199955%63% -8146 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the Daihatsu Terios as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the Daihatsu Terios as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 19.9× as often on the Daihatsu Terios as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Daihatsu Terios?

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