2008 Daihatsu Terios — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,203 MOT tests, the 2008 Daihatsu Terios recorded a 77.3% pass rate. That is 3.8 percentage points better than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 26.5%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (11.4%) and brakes (10.8%) 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, rigid brake pipes and ball joint — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 378 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 3.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 28.2% once past 150k — 8.6× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.4% | 592 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.8% | 564 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.2% | 478 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.6% | 241 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.5% | 234 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.8% | 143 |
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 | 378 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 209 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 207 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 194 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 189 |
| 6 | Wipers | 177 |
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 | 41.3% | 2,147 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.4% | 1,321 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.0% | 989 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 866 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.1% | 682 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 400 |
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 | 122 | 3.3% |
| 30-60k | 845 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,854 | 21.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,515 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 658 | 33.0% |
| 150k+ | 209 | 28.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,101 | 19.5% |
| 2022 | 1,109 | 21.2% |
| 2023 | 1,089 | 24.6% |
| 2024 | 1,007 | 24.5% |
| 2025 | 897 | 24.3% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Terios
On a 2008 Terios, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (11.4% 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 (10.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2008 Daihatsu Terioss pass their MOT?
77.3% of the 5,203 2008 Daihatsu Terios MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Daihatsu Terios?
Suspension, recorded in 11.4% of tests, followed by brakes (10.8%).
Does the 2008 Terios get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.3% in the 0-30k band to 28.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,203 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.