Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Daihatsu Extol?

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 2005 Daihatsu Extol?

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 2005 Daihatsu Extol?

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 2005 Daihatsu Extol vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

23% 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 2005 Daihatsu Extol reliable?

Based on MOT data from 376 vehicles, the 2005 Daihatsu Extol has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2005 Daihatsu Extol?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2005 Daihatsu Extol are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (61.1% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (59.1% of vehicles), Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (55.3% 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 2005 Daihatsu Extol?

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 Extol (2005)

376 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.4% first-time pass rate

2005 Daihatsu Extol

CarHunch analysed 376 real MOT records for the 2005 Daihatsu Extol. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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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. 376 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2005 Daihatsu Extol passes its MOT first time in only 72.5% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly a quarter of these vehicles (23.4%) have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a significant concern for safety-conscious buyers. With an average of 3.28 failures per vehicle, these cars demand more remedial work than most.

These Extols are typically covering around 56,000 miles at test, which is reasonable for their age, but the high advisory count of 15.8 per vehicle suggests chronic minor issues accumulating across multiple systems. If you're considering one, budget for both immediate repairs and expect ongoing maintenance costs—get a pre-purchase inspection focused on brakes, steering, and suspension given the failure patterns.

The 2005 Daihatsu Extol passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (77.4%) — 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

77.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

23.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.28

Over 13.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

57k

Middle half: 40k–76k

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 15.8 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 376 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 376 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 61.1%

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

Exhaust & emissions 55.3%

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

Other issues 33.6%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction

Brake wear 27.4%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively · Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively

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

Wipers & washers 20.9%

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

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 376 Daihatsu Extol cars.

Before you buy a 2005 Daihatsu Extol

Based on MOT data from 376 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 23.4% 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%)	375	77.4%	3.27

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,118 Daihatsu Extol vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 59.2%

662

Silver 21.3%

238

Blue 18.5%

207

Green 0.5%

Cream 0.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Daihatsu Extol 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.

56,660

typical

39,505

low mileage

76,150

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Daihatsu Extol vehicles fall between 39,505 and 76,150 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 39,505 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.

✓ 39,505–76,150 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Daihatsu Extols sit.

⚠ Over 102,802 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Daihatsu Extol — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 25% of 2005 Daihatsu Extols are still active.

Numbers are declining — 69 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (25% 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

13.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.28

Avg failures per vehicle

15.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2004 2006

Or browse all models: Daihatsu →

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Daihatsu Extol stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?