Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1997 Daihatsu Terios?

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 1997 Daihatsu Terios?

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 1997 Daihatsu Terios?

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 1997 Daihatsu Terios vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

24% 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 1997 Daihatsu Terios reliable?

Based on MOT data from 412 vehicles, the 1997 Daihatsu Terios has a first-time MOT pass rate of 66.4%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1997 Daihatsu Terios?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1997 Daihatsu Terios are: Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (68.2% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (40.7% of vehicles), Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (38.7% 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 1997 Daihatsu Terios?

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 Terios (1997)

412 real MOT outcomes analysed • 66.4% first-time pass rate

1997 Daihatsu Terios

CarHunch analysed 412 real MOT records for the 1997 Daihatsu Terios. 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. 412 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 1997 Daihatsu Terios has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 64.9%, well below the UK average of 80%, which signals below-average reliability for a 27-year-old vehicle. More concerning, nearly a quarter of these cars (23.8%) have recorded dangerous defects during MOT testing, making this a genuine buyer safety consideration.

These Terios average 3.59 failures and 11.4 advisories per test, suggesting persistent wear issues across multiple systems rather than isolated problems. With a median mileage of 78,549 miles for their age, these vehicles have been used reasonably hard, so before buying one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on suspension, brakes, and steering—the areas most likely to need work.

The 1997 Daihatsu Terios has a below-average first-time pass rate (66.4% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ 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

66.4%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

23.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.59

Over 10.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

79k

Middle half: 64k–96k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 11.4 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 412 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 412 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 68.2%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive · Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits · Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive

Suspension & steering 40.7%

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded · Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded · Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement · …

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

Tyre wear 36.9%

Nearside Front 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.

Brake wear 24.9%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · 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 22.6%

Oil leak

Wipers & washers 21.6%

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1997.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 412 Daihatsu Terios cars.

Before you buy a 1997 Daihatsu Terios

Based on MOT data from 412 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 23.8% 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%)	411	66.3%	3.6

Colour Breakdown

Based on 14,953 Daihatsu Terios vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 27.3%

4,083

Blue 18.9%

2,833

Green 12.7%

1,892

Grey 12.4%

1,858

Black 12.2%

1,831

Purple 7.7%

1,154

Red 5%

752

White 1.6%

244

Multi-colour 1.5%

220

Maroon 0.4%

Yellow 0.1%

Turquoise 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1997 Daihatsu Terios 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.

78,549

typical

64,246

low mileage

95,952

high mileage

Half of all 1997 Daihatsu Terios vehicles fall between 64,246 and 95,952 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 64,246 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.

✓ 64,246–95,952 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1997 Daihatsu Terioss sit.

⚠ Over 129,535 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1997 Daihatsu Terios — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 9% of 1997 Daihatsu Terioss are still active.

Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (9% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
* 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

10.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.59

Avg failures per vehicle

11.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Or browse all models: Daihatsu →

Compare with another model

See how the 1997 Daihatsu Terios stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on