1998 Daihatsu Fourtrak — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,871 MOT tests, the 1998 Daihatsu Fourtrak recorded a 72.2% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (25.6% fail rate), the 1998 Fourtrak comes out 2.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.7%) and suspension (16.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, component mounting prescribed areas and joints — prescribed areas alone was recorded 309 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.5% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 27.9% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 40.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.6% in 2021 to 23.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 312 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.0% | 299 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.1% | 263 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 8.0% | 149 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.5% | 141 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.6% | 105 |
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 | 309 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 162 |
| 3 | Joints | 117 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 115 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 108 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 105 |
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 | 40.8% | 763 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 29.5% | 552 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.8% | 426 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.2% | 285 |
| 5 | Tyres | 14.8% | 277 |
| 6 | Steering | 14.6% | 274 |
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 | 40 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 207 | 25.1% |
| 90-120k | 544 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 553 | 30.4% |
| 150k+ | 517 | 27.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 467 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 427 | 29.0% |
| 2023 | 377 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 326 | 27.9% |
| 2025 | 274 | 23.4% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Fourtrak
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.0% 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 (14.1% 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 1998 Daihatsu Fourtraks pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 1,871 1998 Daihatsu Fourtrak MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Daihatsu Fourtrak?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by suspension (16.0%).
Does the 1998 Fourtrak get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.5% in the 30-60k band to 27.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,871 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.