2002 Daihatsu Cuore — MOT failures & pass rate
323 MOT tests on the 2002 Daihatsu Cuore are in this dataset, and 75.2% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), the 2002 Cuore comes out 2.7pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, body, structure & corrosion and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (11.2%) and body, structure & corrosion (9.3%) 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 wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 40 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2002 Cuore fails 17.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 21.1% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 27.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.2% | 36 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 30 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.3% | 30 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 27 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.5% | 21 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 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 | 40 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 28 |
| 3 | Wipers | 14 |
| 4 | Joints | 13 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 13 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 11 |
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 | 27.6% | 89 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.1% | 78 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.3% | 56 |
| 4 | Tyres | 16.4% | 53 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.9% | 48 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.1% | 26 |
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 | 67 | 17.9% |
| 30-60k | 150 | 28.0% |
| 60-90k | 71 | 21.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81 | 24.7% |
| 2022 | 77 | 27.3% |
| 2023 | 66 | 22.7% |
| 2024 | 54 | 24.1% |
| 2025 | 45 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Cuore
On a 2002 Cuore, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (11.2% 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 (9.3% 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+.
- Emissions & environmental (9.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2002 Daihatsu Cuores pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 323 2002 Daihatsu Cuore MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Daihatsu Cuore?
Suspension, recorded in 11.2% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (9.3%).
Does the 2002 Cuore get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.9% in the 0-30k band to 21.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 323 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.