2009 Daihatsu Copen — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,000 MOT tests, the 2009 Daihatsu Copen recorded an 83.6% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (25.5% fail rate), the 2009 Copen comes out 9.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.5%) and suspension (6.1%) 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, rigid brake pipes and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 82 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.5% once past 90-120k — 3.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 27.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 65 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.1% | 61 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.2% | 52 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.5% | 45 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 31 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 21 |
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 | 82 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 33 |
| 3 | Wipers | 26 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 21 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 19 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 17 |
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 | 27.2% | 272 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.8% | 218 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.2% | 192 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 80 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.8% | 48 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 42 |
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 | 194 | 7.2% |
| 30-60k | 414 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 262 | 24.4% |
| 90-120k | 94 | 25.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 207 | 18.4% |
| 2022 | 203 | 10.8% |
| 2023 | 193 | 15.5% |
| 2024 | 201 | 16.4% |
| 2025 | 196 | 20.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Copen
On a 2009 Copen, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.1% 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 (5.2% 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 2009 Daihatsu Copens pass their MOT?
83.6% of the 1,000 2009 Daihatsu Copen MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Daihatsu Copen?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by suspension (6.1%).
Does the 2009 Copen get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.2% in the 0-30k band to 25.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,000 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.