Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2001 Daihatsu Sirion?

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 2001 Daihatsu Sirion?

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 2001 Daihatsu Sirion?

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 2001 Daihatsu Sirion vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

20% 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 2001 Daihatsu Sirion reliable?

Based on MOT data from 921 vehicles, the 2001 Daihatsu Sirion has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2001 Daihatsu Sirion?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2001 Daihatsu Sirion are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (57.3% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (51.6% of vehicles), Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (38.2% 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 2001 Daihatsu Sirion?

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 Sirion (2001)

921 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.8% first-time pass rate

2001 Daihatsu Sirion

CarHunch analysed 921 real MOT records for the 2001 Daihatsu Sirion. 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

The 2001 Daihatsu Sirion falls slightly short of the UK average with a 76.8% first-time pass rate, and one in five of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a notable concern for a 23-year-old model. Petrol examples show an identical 76.9% pass rate, so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.

These Sirions average 55,194 miles, which is reasonable for their age, but they're prone to issues: owners face an average of 3.34 failures and 13.4 advisories per test, suggesting worn components are common. Before committing, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, brakes, and lights, and factor in likely repair costs when budgeting.

The 2001 Daihatsu Sirion passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (76.8%) — 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

76.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

20.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.34

Over 13.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

53k

Middle half: 39k–69k

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 13.4 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 921 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 921 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 57.3%

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 38.2%

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

Other issues 23.1%

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread · Oil leak · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'

Exhaust & emissions 21.9%

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits

Wipers & washers 17.8%

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 2001.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 921 Daihatsu Sirion cars.

Before you buy a 2001 Daihatsu Sirion

Based on MOT data from 921 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 20.3% 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%)	920	76.9%	3.34

Colour Breakdown

Based on 16,585 Daihatsu Sirion vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 26.6%

4,410

Red 24.4%

4,043

Blue 23.5%

3,896

Black 5.9%

986

Green 5.6%

936

Gold 4.8%

801

Cream 3.9%

642

Yellow 2.5%

420

Grey 1.9%

311

Purple 0.4%

Pink 0.3%

Beige 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2001 Daihatsu Sirion 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.

53,090

typical

39,494

low mileage

68,601

high mileage

Half of all 2001 Daihatsu Sirion vehicles fall between 39,494 and 68,601 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 39,494 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.

✓ 39,494–68,601 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2001 Daihatsu Sirions sit.

⚠ Over 92,611 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2001 Daihatsu Sirion — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 10% of 2001 Daihatsu Sirions are still active.

Numbers are declining — 55 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (10% 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

13.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.34

Avg failures per vehicle

13.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1998 1999 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Or browse all models: Daihatsu →

Compare with another model

See how the 2001 Daihatsu Sirion stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?