Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Taishan Commuter?

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 2005 Taishan Commuter?

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 2005 Taishan Commuter?

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.

Is the 2005 Taishan Commuter reliable?

Based on MOT data from 142 vehicles, the 2005 Taishan Commuter has a first-time MOT pass rate of 70.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2005 Taishan Commuter?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2005 Taishan Commuter are: Headlamp aim too low (19.1% of vehicles), Rear shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (16.9% of vehicles), Front suspension has a slightly reduced damping effect (14.6% 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 2005 Taishan Commuter?

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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Taishan Commuter (2005)

142 real MOT outcomes analysed • 70.5% first-time pass rate

2005 Taishan Commuter

CarHunch analysed 142 real MOT records for the 2005 Taishan Commuter. 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 Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2005 Taishan Commuter is a serious reliability concern, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 22.4%—less than a third of the UK average of 80%. Dangerous defects are relatively uncommon at 6.3%, but the sheer scale of failures means you're looking at a vehicle that struggles to meet basic safety and emissions standards.

These vehicles are lightly used (median 2,046 miles), suggesting many may have been stored or are rarely driven, which masks deeper mechanical issues rather than proving robustness. With an average of 0.32 failures and 0.5 advisories per test, ongoing repair costs will be your reality—avoid this model unless you're buying for parts or have specialist knowledge and deep pockets for restoration.

We have limited data for the 2005 Taishan Commuter — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 20 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

70.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

6.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.32

Over 1.6 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

Middle half: 1k–3k

For context

These stats describe 142 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 142 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Lighting 19.1%

Headlamp aim too low · Exhaust slightly deteriorated

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Suspension & steering 16.9%

Rear shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect · Front suspension has a slightly reduced damping effect · Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. · …

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

Brake wear 14.6%

Front Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel · Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies · Rear Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel · …

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

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 142 Taishan Commuter cars.

Before you buy a 2005 Taishan Commuter

Based on MOT data from 142 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 6.3% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Taishan Commuter 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.

2,046

typical

1,198

low mileage

3,342

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Taishan Commuter vehicles fall between 1,198 and 3,342 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 1,198 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.

✓ 1,198–3,342 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Taishan Commuters sit.

⚠ Over 4,511 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

1.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.32

Avg failures per vehicle

0.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Taishan Commuter: All Commuter years → Which year to buy? →

2003 2004

Or browse all models: Taishan →

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Taishan Commuter stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on