Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 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 2008 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 2008 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 2008 Daihatsu Sirion vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

34% 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 Sirion reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,834 vehicles, the 2008 Daihatsu Sirion has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.6%, 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 Sirion?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2008 Daihatsu Sirion are: Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (50.8% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (37.6% of vehicles), Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (36.1% 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 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 (2008)

2,834 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.6% first-time pass rate

2008 Daihatsu Sirion

CarHunch analysed 2,834 real MOT records for the 2008 Daihatsu Sirion. 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

The 2008 Daihatsu Sirion's 80.6% pass rate matches the UK average almost exactly, but the concerning figure here is that 34.4% of these cars have had a dangerous defect recorded—nearly double the typical rate—which flags potential safety issues you'll want to inspect thoroughly before buying. With an average of 3.29 failures per test, these cars are clearly racking up mechanical problems as they age.

At nearly 50,000 miles median for a 16-year-old vehicle, mileage is reasonable, yet the 20.9 average advisories per car reveal these Sirions are developing the wear and tear you'd expect of budget city cars from this era. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension, brakes, and electrical systems—the advisory frequency suggests these are common trouble spots.

The 2008 Daihatsu Sirion has a decent first-time pass rate (80.6%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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

80.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

34.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.29

Over 16 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

47k

Middle half: 33k–63k

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 20.9 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 2,834 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 2,834 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 50.8%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · 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.

Tyre wear 37.6%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · 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.

Suspension & steering 29%

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint · Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play · Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint · …

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 2,834 Daihatsu Sirion cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Daihatsu Sirion

Based on MOT data from 2,834 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 34.4% 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%)	2,833	80.6%	3.29

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 2008 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.

46,993

typical

32,760

low mileage

62,889

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Daihatsu Sirion vehicles fall between 32,760 and 62,889 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 32,760 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.

✓ 32,760–62,889 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Daihatsu Sirions sit.

⚠ Over 84,900 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 Sirion — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 58% of 2008 Daihatsu Sirions are still active.

1,566 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 58% 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

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.29

Avg failures per vehicle

20.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010

Or browse all models: Daihatsu →

Compare with another model

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

Watch for defects — worth knowing