1994 Daihatsu Fourtrak — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 496 MOT tests, the 1994 Daihatsu Fourtrak recorded a 73.4% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 23.9% of the time, so this is 2.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests against 13.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — prescribed areas alone was recorded 69 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1994 Fourtrak fails 22.9% of the time in the 60-90k band and 20.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.6 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 42.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 28.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 86 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.3% | 66 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.1% | 65 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.1% | 35 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.5% | 32 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.7% | 28 |
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 | 69 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 32 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 4 | Joints | 28 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 27 |
| 6 | Linkage pins and bushes | 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 | 42.5% | 211 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.6% | 127 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.2% | 115 |
| 4 | Tyres | 13.3% | 66 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.1% | 65 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.9% | 59 |
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 | 48 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 151 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 158 | 32.9% |
| 150k+ | 123 | 20.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 137 | 28.5% |
| 2022 | 100 | 23.0% |
| 2023 | 97 | 25.8% |
| 2024 | 77 | 24.7% |
| 2025 | 85 | 30.6% |
What to check before buying a 1994 Fourtrak
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.3% 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+.
- Suspension (13.1% 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 1994 Daihatsu Fourtraks pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 496 1994 Daihatsu Fourtrak MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1994 Daihatsu Fourtrak?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (13.3%).
Does the 1994 Fourtrak get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 60-90k band to 20.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 496 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.