Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2002 Daihatsu Cuore?

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 2002 Daihatsu Cuore?

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 2002 Daihatsu Cuore?

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.

Is the 2002 Daihatsu Cuore reliable?

Based on MOT data from 330 vehicles, the 2002 Daihatsu Cuore has a first-time MOT pass rate of 78%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2002 Daihatsu Cuore?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2002 Daihatsu Cuore are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (61.6% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (60% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (33.3% 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 2002 Daihatsu Cuore?

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 Cuore (2002)

330 real MOT outcomes analysed • 78% first-time pass rate

2002 Daihatsu Cuore

CarHunch analysed 330 real MOT records for the 2002 Daihatsu Cuore. 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. 330 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2002 Daihatsu Cuore falls slightly short of the UK average with a 77.8% first-time pass rate compared to 80%, suggesting it's a moderately reliable proposition from this era, though 18.2% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a notable concern for buyers. With a median mileage of just 39,182 miles for a 22-year-old car, these are lightly used examples, yet they still average 3.4 failures per test, pointing to age-related wear rather than hard use. The high advisory count of 13.6 per vehicle tells you that cosmetic and minor issues accumulate quickly on these ageing Daihatsu superminis. Before purchasing, have a trusted mechanic inspect the electrics, suspension, and braking system thoroughly, as these cars show persistent problem patterns despite their low mileage.

The 2002 Daihatsu Cuore passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (78%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 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

78%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

18.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.4

Over 14.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

39k

Middle half: 28k–53k

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 13.6 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 330 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 330 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 61.6%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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 33.3%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded

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

Other issues 28.2%

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread · Oil leak

Exhaust & emissions 21.8%

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits · Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases · Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases · …

Wipers & washers 21.2%

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively · Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 330 Daihatsu Cuore cars.

Before you buy a 2002 Daihatsu Cuore

Based on MOT data from 330 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 18.2% 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 (100%)	329	78.1%	3.41

Colour Breakdown

Based on 5,804 Daihatsu Cuore vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 31%

1,799

Red 18.6%

1,078

Blue 17.1%

994

Green 10.5%

610

White 7.6%

444

Grey 7.6%

439

Purple 6.3%

368

Black 0.6%

Yellow 0.5%

Pink 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Daihatsu Cuore 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.

39,182

typical

27,804

low mileage

52,507

high mileage

Half of all 2002 Daihatsu Cuore vehicles fall between 27,804 and 52,507 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 27,804 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.

✓ 27,804–52,507 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2002 Daihatsu Cuores sit.

⚠ Over 70,884 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2002 Daihatsu Cuore — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 15% of 2002 Daihatsu Cuores are still active.

Numbers are declining — 35 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (15% of peak).

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

14.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.4

Avg failures per vehicle

13.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2003

Or browse all models: Daihatsu →

Compare with another model

See how the 2002 Daihatsu Cuore stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?