1996 Daihatsu Fourtrak — MOT failures & pass rate
766 MOT tests on the 1996 Daihatsu Fourtrak are in this dataset, and 70.9% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 24.7% of the time, so this is 4.4pp 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 19.8% of tests against 16.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, component mounting prescribed areas and chassis condition — prescribed areas alone was recorded 121 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 32.8% versus 21.9%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 38.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.5% in 2021 to 24.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.8% | 152 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.3% | 125 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.1% | 116 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.0% | 69 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 8.8% | 67 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.8% | 37 |
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 | 121 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 68 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 60 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 48 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 47 |
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 | 38.1% | 292 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.7% | 212 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.8% | 152 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.2% | 124 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.6% | 104 |
| 6 | Steering | 11.9% | 91 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 32 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 87 | 28.7% |
| 90-120k | 146 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 225 | 26.7% |
| 150k+ | 271 | 32.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 194 | 32.5% |
| 2022 | 177 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 144 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 133 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 118 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a 1996 Fourtrak
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.3% 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 (15.1% 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 1996 Daihatsu Fourtraks pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 766 1996 Daihatsu Fourtrak MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Daihatsu Fourtrak?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.8% of tests, followed by suspension (16.3%).
Does the 1996 Fourtrak get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 30-60k band to 32.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 766 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.