Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Daihatsu Copen?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2008 Daihatsu Copen?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2008 Daihatsu Copen?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2008 Daihatsu Copen vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

25% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2008 Daihatsu Copen reliable?

Based on MOT data from 378 vehicles, the 2008 Daihatsu Copen has a first-time MOT pass rate of 84.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2008 Daihatsu Copen?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2008 Daihatsu Copen are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (47.9% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (42.8% of vehicles), Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (41% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2008 Daihatsu Copen?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Daihatsu Copen (2008)

378 real MOT outcomes analysed • 84.9% first-time pass rate

2008 Daihatsu Copen

CarHunch analysed 378 real MOT records for the 2008 Daihatsu Copen. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 378 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2008 Daihatsu Copen posts an 83.8% first-time pass rate, marginally above the UK average of 80%, but nearly a quarter of these cars (24.9%) have recorded dangerous defects during their MOT history—a significant concern for any potential buyer. This suggests the Copen is broadly reliable, yet presents elevated safety risks that warrant pre-purchase inspection.

These vehicles average just 41,839 miles, which is low for their age and indicates many are cherished weekend or collection pieces rather than daily drivers. The high advisory count of 14.0 per car reflects accumulated wear on older components typical of sports cars, while averaging 2.38 failures per test suggests minor issues are common but manageable—get a full mechanical inspection and budget for cosmetic refurbishment before committing.

The 2008 Daihatsu Copen passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (84.9%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

84.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

24.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.38

Over 14.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

39k

Middle half: 26k–54k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 14 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 378 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 378 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 47.9%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 41%

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 18.5%

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 378 Daihatsu Copen cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Daihatsu Copen

Based on MOT data from 378 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 24.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (98%)	369	84.7%	2.42

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,417 Daihatsu Copen vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 49.1%

1,186

Grey 13.1%

317

Red 10.8%

261

Blue 5.5%

133

Black 5.2%

125

Green 5%

121

Yellow 4.9%

118

Gold 4.1%

White 2.2%

Purple 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Daihatsu Copen vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

39,213

typical

25,978

low mileage

53,776

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Daihatsu Copen vehicles fall between 25,978 and 53,776 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 25,978 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 25,978–53,776 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Daihatsu Copens sit.

⚠ Over 72,597 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Daihatsu Copen — Still on the Road

Most 2008 Daihatsu Copens are still being driven.

256 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 75% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

14.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.38

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Daihatsu Copen: All Copen years → Which year to buy? →

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009

Or browse all models: Daihatsu →

Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Daihatsu Copen stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?