1997 Daihatsu Fieldman — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 289 MOT tests, the 1997 Daihatsu Fieldman recorded a 71.6% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 25.1% of the time, so this is 3.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.7% of all tests — 3.8 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, component mounting prescribed areas and chassis condition — prescribed areas alone was recorded 52 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 34.0% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 29.8% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 44.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.3% in 2021 to 27.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 54 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.9% | 43 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.5% | 42 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.0% | 29 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 9.7% | 28 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.9% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prescribed areas | 52 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 24 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 24 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 23 |
| 5 | Wipers | 22 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 22 |
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 | 44.3% | 128 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 35.3% | 102 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.3% | 79 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.4% | 59 |
| 5 | Steering | 17.3% | 50 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.2% | 38 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 50 | 34.0% |
| 90-120k | 54 | 24.1% |
| 120-150k | 97 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 67 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 80 | 31.3% |
| 2022 | 59 | 30.5% |
| 2023 | 53 | 22.6% |
| 2024 | 49 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 48 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Fieldman
On a 1997 Fieldman, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.9% 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 (14.5% 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.
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 1997 Daihatsu Fieldmans pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 289 1997 Daihatsu Fieldman MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Daihatsu Fieldman?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (14.9%).
Does the 1997 Fieldman get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 34.0% in the 60-90k band to 29.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 289 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.