Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2002 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 2002 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 2002 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 2002 Daihatsu Terios vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

30% 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 2002 Daihatsu Terios reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,356 vehicles, the 2002 Daihatsu Terios has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2002 Daihatsu Terios?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2002 Daihatsu Terios are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (60.4% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (58.1% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (56% 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 2002 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 (2002)

1,356 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73.1% first-time pass rate

2002 Daihatsu Terios

CarHunch analysed 1,356 real MOT records for the 2002 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 2002 Daihatsu Terios falls noticeably short of the UK average, with a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.1% against the national 80%, and nearly 30% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for safety-conscious buyers. With an average of 4.48 failures per vehicle and nearly 20 advisories, this model demands thorough pre-purchase inspection and isn't a low-maintenance prospect.

At 67,452 miles on average, these Terios have covered reasonable mileage for their age, suggesting many have been used regularly rather than cherished as garage queens. The high advisory count points to accumulating wear on suspension, brakes, and trim components rather than catastrophic failures, so budget for incremental repairs if you buy one—and have any candidate thoroughly checked by a mechanic familiar with Japanese vehicles before committing.

The 2002 Daihatsu Terios has a below-average first-time pass rate (73.1% 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

73.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

29.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.48

Over 15.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

66k

Middle half: 51k–82k

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 19.9 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 1,356 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 1,356 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 60.4%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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 56%

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

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

Exhaust & emissions 44%

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

Suspension & steering 27.9%

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 · Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded · …

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

Wipers & washers 27.3%

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 2002.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,356 Daihatsu Terios cars.

Before you buy a 2002 Daihatsu Terios

Based on MOT data from 1,356 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 29.7% 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%)	1,355	73.1%	4.48

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 2002 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.

65,582

typical

50,974

low mileage

81,896

high mileage

Half of all 2002 Daihatsu Terios vehicles fall between 50,974 and 81,896 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 50,974 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.

✓ 50,974–81,896 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2002 Daihatsu Terioss sit.

⚠ Over 110,559 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2002 Daihatsu Terios — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 5% of 2002 Daihatsu Terioss are still active.

Numbers are declining — 50 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (5% 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

15.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.48

Avg failures per vehicle

19.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Or browse all models: Daihatsu →

Compare with another model

See how the 2002 Daihatsu Terios stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on