1999 Daihatsu Cuore — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1999 Daihatsu Cuore passed 68.9% of its 363 recorded MOT tests. That is 4.9 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.2%. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (15.7%) and suspension (15.7%) 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 56 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.1% in the 0-30k band and 39.5% in the 60-90k band, a 16.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 33.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 38.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.7% | 57 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.7% | 57 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 41 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.6% | 35 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.2% | 26 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 18 |
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 | 56 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 42 |
| 3 | Joints | 35 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 27 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 22 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 18 |
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 | 31.1% | 113 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.5% | 89 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.6% | 82 |
| 4 | Brakes | 22.3% | 81 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.2% | 66 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 44 |
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 | 52 | 23.1% |
| 30-60k | 218 | 30.3% |
| 60-90k | 76 | 39.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 108 | 33.3% |
| 2022 | 84 | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 66 | 24.2% |
| 2024 | 55 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 50 | 38.0% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Cuore
On a 1999 Cuore, body, structure & corrosion is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.7% 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+.
- Suspension (15.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.3% 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
How many 1999 Daihatsu Cuores pass their MOT?
68.9% of the 363 1999 Daihatsu Cuore MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Daihatsu Cuore?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 15.7% of tests, followed by suspension (15.7%).
Does the 1999 Cuore get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.1% in the 0-30k band to 39.5% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 363 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.