Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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 1998 Daihatsu Terios vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

26% 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 1998 Daihatsu Terios reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,241 vehicles, the 1998 Daihatsu Terios has a first-time MOT pass rate of 67.7%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 Daihatsu Terios?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Daihatsu Terios are: Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (55.4% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (44% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (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 1998 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 (1998)

1,241 real MOT outcomes analysed • 67.7% first-time pass rate

1998 Daihatsu Terios

CarHunch analysed 1,241 real MOT records for the 1998 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

The 1998 Daihatsu Terios is a well-below-average performer on the MOT bench, with a first-time pass rate of just 66.6% versus the UK average of 80%, and a quarter of vehicles (25.5%) have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a significant reliability warning for potential buyers. With an average of 3.75 failures per test and 13.5 advisories, these cars are prone to multiple issues when inspected.

At 76,680 miles average, these Terios are relatively well-used for their age, yet the high advisory count suggests wear and degradation across multiple systems rather than isolated problems. If you're considering one, budget for repairs and insist on a pre-purchase inspection focusing on structural integrity and brake condition, given the dangerous defect rate.

The 1998 Daihatsu Terios has a below-average first-time pass rate (67.7% 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

67.7%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

25.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.75

Over 10.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

74k

Middle half: 61k–91k

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 13.5 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 1,241 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 1,241 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 55.4%

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 · …

Tyre wear 44%

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.

Suspension & steering 34.8%

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

Brake wear 33.4%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin

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

Other issues 25.8%

Oil leak

Wipers & washers 21.1%

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,241 Daihatsu Terios cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Daihatsu Terios

Based on MOT data from 1,241 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 25.5% 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%)	1,239	67.8%	3.74

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 1998 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.

74,276

typical

60,669

low mileage

91,022

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Daihatsu Terios vehicles fall between 60,669 and 91,022 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 60,669 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.

✓ 60,669–91,022 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Daihatsu Terioss sit.

⚠ Over 122,879 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Daihatsu Terios — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 5% of 1998 Daihatsu Terioss are still active.

Numbers are declining — 23 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (5% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.
* 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

10.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.75

Avg failures per vehicle

13.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Or browse all models: Daihatsu →

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Daihatsu Terios stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on