1999 Daihatsu Fieldman — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 252 MOT tests analysed for the 1999 Daihatsu Fieldman, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 70.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (75.6%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 45 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.5% | 44 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.9% | 30 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.8% | 17 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.9% | 15 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.2% | 13 |
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 | 32 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 24 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 22 |
| 4 | Joints | 19 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 18 |
| 6 | Wipers | 15 |
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 | 48.4% | 122 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 29.4% | 74 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.1% | 43 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.7% | 37 |
| 5 | Steering | 13.5% | 34 |
| 6 | Tyres | 13.5% | 34 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 81 | 32.1% |
| 120-150k | 58 | 29.3% |
| 150k+ | 77 | 26.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 67 | 35.8% |
| 2022 | 52 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 53 | 26.4% |
| 2024 | 41 | 24.4% |
| 2025 | 39 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Fieldman
Before buying a 1999 Daihatsu Fieldman, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.9% 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+.
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 Fieldmans pass their MOT?
70.6% of the 252 1999 Daihatsu Fieldman MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Daihatsu Fieldman?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by suspension (17.5%).
Does the 1999 Fieldman get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.1% in the 90-120k band to 26.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 252 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.