2004 Daihatsu Terios — MOT failures & pass rate
1,523 MOT tests on the 2004 Daihatsu Terios are in this dataset, and 65.2% of them passed. Against small SUVs of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), the 2004 Terios comes out 6.7pp worse. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (19.9%) and suspension (19.6%) 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, catalyst emissions and chassis condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 403 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 27.0% in the 30-60k band and 40.0% in the 150k+ band, a 13.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.9% | 303 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.6% | 299 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 213 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.4% | 173 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.8% | 104 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.8% | 104 |
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 | 403 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 210 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 201 |
| 4 | Joints | 156 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 146 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 120 |
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 | 40.1% | 611 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 29.6% | 451 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.3% | 400 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.4% | 387 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 153 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.9% | 136 |
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 | 289 | 27.0% |
| 60-90k | 614 | 35.5% |
| 90-120k | 421 | 37.5% |
| 120-150k | 126 | 42.1% |
| 150k+ | 45 | 40.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 463 | 33.5% |
| 2022 | 373 | 35.9% |
| 2023 | 277 | 33.2% |
| 2024 | 236 | 37.7% |
| 2025 | 174 | 34.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Terios
On a 2004 Terios, body, structure & corrosion is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Body, structure & corrosion (19.9% 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+.
- Suspension (19.6% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (14.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2004 Daihatsu Terioss pass their MOT?
65.2% of the 1,523 2004 Daihatsu Terios MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Daihatsu Terios?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 19.9% of tests, followed by suspension (19.6%).
Does the 2004 Terios get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.0% in the 30-60k band to 40.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,523 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.