2007 Daihatsu Copen — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Daihatsu Copen passed 80.8% of its 1,451 recorded MOT tests. That is 7.7 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.0%) and suspension (7.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, wipers and rigid brake pipes — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 155 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.9% in the 0-30k band and 33.7% in the 120-150k band, a 24.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 14.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 130 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.5% | 109 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.7% | 83 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.1% | 74 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.4% | 64 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.7% | 39 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 155 |
| 2 | Wipers | 71 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 44 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 40 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 35 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 33 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 31.8% | 461 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.8% | 272 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.7% | 271 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.4% | 165 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.3% | 62 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 54 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 190 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 468 | 15.4% |
| 60-90k | 468 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 214 | 25.2% |
| 120-150k | 86 | 33.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 302 | 14.9% |
| 2022 | 303 | 19.8% |
| 2023 | 302 | 20.9% |
| 2024 | 280 | 20.0% |
| 2025 | 264 | 20.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Copen
On a 2007 Copen, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (5.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2007 Daihatsu Copens pass their MOT?
80.8% of the 1,451 2007 Daihatsu Copen MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Daihatsu Copen?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.0% of tests, followed by suspension (7.5%).
Does the 2007 Copen get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 33.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,451 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.