2002 Daihatsu Sirion — MOT failures & pass rate
918 MOT tests on the 2002 Daihatsu Sirion are in this dataset, and 72.3% of them passed. Against city cars of a similar age (29.1% fail rate), the 2002 Sirion comes out 1.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.1%) and suspension (11.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 127 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 36.5% once past 120-150k — 2.6× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 129 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.3% | 104 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.9% | 91 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 80 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 61 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.6% | 51 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 127 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 53 |
| 3 | Wipers | 42 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 39 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 39 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 39 |
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 | 30.2% | 277 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.1% | 276 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.9% | 210 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 181 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.3% | 140 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.9% | 137 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 70 | 14.3% |
| 30-60k | 347 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 263 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 159 | 40.9% |
| 120-150k | 52 | 36.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 248 | 27.0% |
| 2022 | 216 | 30.1% |
| 2023 | 173 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 154 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 127 | 27.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Sirion
On a 2002 Sirion, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.3% 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.
- Brakes (9.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2002 Daihatsu Sirions pass their MOT?
72.3% of the 918 2002 Daihatsu Sirion MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Daihatsu Sirion?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by suspension (11.3%).
Does the 2002 Sirion get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 0-30k band to 36.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 918 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.