2005 Daihatsu Terios — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,804 MOT tests, the 2005 Daihatsu Terios recorded a 67.5% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 28.1% of the time, so this is 4.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (18.3%) and suspension (16.2%) 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 joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 501 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.2% in the 0-30k band and 35.5% in the 150k+ band, a 15.3-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 40.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.3% | 514 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.2% | 454 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 13.0% | 364 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 267 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.1% | 227 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.0% | 169 |
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 | 501 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 323 |
| 3 | Joints | 300 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 267 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 218 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 165 |
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 | 40.7% | 1,142 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.4% | 767 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.3% | 736 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.5% | 631 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 296 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.3% | 232 |
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 | 89 | 20.2% |
| 30-60k | 613 | 27.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,037 | 33.1% |
| 90-120k | 744 | 34.8% |
| 120-150k | 244 | 38.5% |
| 150k+ | 76 | 35.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 765 | 31.9% |
| 2022 | 672 | 33.6% |
| 2023 | 548 | 32.1% |
| 2024 | 445 | 32.8% |
| 2025 | 374 | 32.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Terios
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: body, structure & corrosion accounted for 18.3% of tests. Start there.
- Body, structure & corrosion (18.3% 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 (16.2% 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 (13.0% 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 2005 Daihatsu Terioss pass their MOT?
67.5% of the 2,804 2005 Daihatsu Terios MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Daihatsu Terios?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by suspension (16.2%).
Does the 2005 Terios get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.2% in the 0-30k band to 35.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,804 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.