At a Glance
The Daihatsu Terios has 16 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk1 (1997-2005) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 170K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Daihatsu Terios common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Daihatsu Terios generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Daihatsu Terios Generations
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Most Common Daihatsu Terios MOT Failures
Every reason Daihatsu Terios vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 11.14% |
| 2 | Exhaust system fault | 7.31% |
| 3 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 7.10% |
| 4 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 6.14% |
| 5 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.05% |
| 6 | Driveshaft fault | 5.77% |
| 7 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 4.64% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.04% |
| 9 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.71% |
| 10 | Front lamp not working | 3.66% |
| 11 | Track rod end worn | 3.42% |
| 12 | Stop lamp not working | 3.29% |
| 13 | Tyre condition | 2.46% |
| 14 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.31% |
| 15 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.88% |
| 16 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.69% |
| 17 | Position lamp not working | 1.60% |
| 18 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.52% |
| 19 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.36% |
| 20 | Fog lamp not working | 1.35% |
| 21 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.27% |
| 22 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 1.13% |
| 23 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.11% |
| 24 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.11% |
| 25 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.91% |
| 26 | Headlamp fault | 0.90% |
| 27 | Seat belt condition | 0.83% |
| 28 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.82% |
| 29 | Chassis condition | 0.76% |
| 30 | Front suspension fault | 0.74% |
| 31 | Horn not working | 0.69% |
| 32 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.61% |
| 33 | Indicator fault | 0.58% |
| 34 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.52% |
| 35 | ABS fault | 0.44% |
| 36 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.43% |
| 37 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.41% |
| 38 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.38% |
| 39 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.34% |
| 40 | Rear lamp not working | 0.34% |
| 41 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.28% |
| 42 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.27% |
| 43 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.25% |
| 44 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.24% |
| 45 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.24% |
| 46 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.21% |
| 47 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.20% |
| 48 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.18% |
| 49 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.18% |
| 50 | Rear suspension fault | 0.18% |
| 51 | Parking brake condition | 0.17% |
| 52 | Brake pedal fault | 0.16% |
| 53 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.16% |
| 54 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.15% |
| 55 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.14% |
| 56 | Brake caliper fault | 0.13% |
| 57 | Brake fluid leak | 0.12% |
| 58 | Brake lever fault | 0.12% |
| 59 | Airbag warning light on | 0.11% |
| 60 | Steering rack fault | 0.10% |
| 61 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.09% |
| 62 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.08% |
| 63 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.08% |
| 64 | Towbar fault | 0.07% |
| 65 | Passenger seat fault | 0.06% |
| 66 | Steering lock fault | 0.06% |
| 67 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.06% |
| 68 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Propshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.05% |
| 71 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 72 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.03% |
| 75 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.03% |
| 76 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 77 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 79 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 80 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.03% |
| 82 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 83 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.02% |
| 87 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 88 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Engine oil leak | 0.02% |
| 90 | Steering drive system fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 93 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 94 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 95 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 96 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.02% |
| 99 | Body strengthening plate corroded | 0.01% |
| 100 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 102 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 103 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 105 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Steering arm worn | 0.01% |
| 107 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 108 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 111 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 112 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 113 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Steering free play excessive | <0.01% |
| 115 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 116 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 117 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 120 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 123 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 124 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 125 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 127 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 137 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 142 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 145 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 146 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 148 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 151 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 152 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 153 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 154 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Daihatsu Terios MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Daihatsu Terios, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Daihatsu Terios problems?
Based on analysis of 170K Daihatsu Terios MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 16 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Catalytic converter efficiency low". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Daihatsu Terios generation has the most problems?
The Daihatsu Terios Mk1 (1997-2005) (1997–2005) has the highest number of identified common problems (17). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Daihatsu Terios?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Daihatsu Terios owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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