1998 Daihatsu Fieldman — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 250 MOT tests, the 1998 Daihatsu Fieldman recorded a 70.4% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 25.7% of the time, so this is 3.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests against 15.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, component mounting prescribed areas and stop lamp — prescribed areas alone was recorded 35 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1998 Fieldman fails 29.0% of the time in the 60-90k band and 27.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.1 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 42.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.8% in 2021 to 14.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 47 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.2% | 38 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 38 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 8.0% | 20 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.4% | 16 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 14 |
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 | 35 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 33 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 25 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 23 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 17 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 16 |
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 | 42.8% | 107 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 37.6% | 94 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.4% | 51 |
| 4 | Tyres | 16.8% | 42 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.2% | 38 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 33 |
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 | 31 | 29.0% |
| 90-120k | 77 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 56 | 25.0% |
| 150k+ | 63 | 27.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 66 | 28.8% |
| 2022 | 56 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 60 | 40.0% |
| 2024 | 34 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 34 | 14.7% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Fieldman
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.2% 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 (15.2% 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+.
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 1998 Daihatsu Fieldmans pass their MOT?
70.4% of the 250 1998 Daihatsu Fieldman MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Daihatsu Fieldman?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests, followed by suspension (15.2%).
Does the 1998 Fieldman get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.0% in the 60-90k band to 27.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 250 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.