Daihatsu Cuore MOT pass rate & common failures
1,735 MOT tests on the Daihatsu Cuore (1997–2013) give it a 70.4% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (26.7% fail rate), the Cuore comes out 2.9pp worse. Its most common failure areas are suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (15.1%) and body, structure & corrosion (14.1%) 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, catalyst emissions and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 308 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.6% in the 0-30k band and 32.3% in the 120-150k band, a 13.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 28.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Cuore model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 67 | 68.7% | 31.3% | Suspension |
| 1998 | 207 | 73.4% | 26.6% | Suspension |
| 1999 | 363 | 68.9% | 31.1% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 2000 | 298 | 68.5% | 31.5% | Suspension |
| 2001 | 404 | 68.3% | 31.7% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 2002 | 323 | 75.2% | 24.8% | Suspension |
| 2003 | 67 | 67.2% | 32.8% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.1% | 262 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.1% | 244 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 186 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.2% | 159 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 154 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.4% | 94 |
| 7 | Tyres | 4.9% | 85 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.7% | 64 |
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 | 308 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 150 |
| 3 | Joints | 144 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 94 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 90 |
| 6 | Wipers | 83 |
| 7 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 75 |
| 8 | Service brake imbalance | 72 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 31.7% | 550 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.3% | 422 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.1% | 401 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.0% | 381 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.7% | 273 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 144 |
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 | 242 | 18.6% |
| 30-60k | 908 | 29.3% |
| 60-90k | 437 | 34.1% |
| 90-120k | 111 | 36.9% |
| 120-150k | 31 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 484 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 409 | 29.6% |
| 2023 | 335 | 29.8% |
| 2024 | 268 | 28.4% |
| 2025 | 239 | 32.2% |
What to check before buying a Daihatsu Cuore
- Suspension (15.1% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Lighting & signalling (10.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Daihatsu Cuore?
70.4% of the 1,735 Daihatsu Cuore MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 29.6% fail rate, across model years 1997–2013.
What does the Daihatsu Cuore most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension, recorded in 15.1% of tests, then body, structure & corrosion (14.1%).
How much does mileage affect Cuore MOT results?
Fail rates run at 18.6% for cars in the 0-30k band and 32.3% for 120-150k, a 13.7-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,735 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.