Daihatsu Applause Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Daihatsu Applause car check
Is the Daihatsu Applause reliable? We analysed 2,144 real MOT tests across 515 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Daihatsu Applause? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Daihatsu Applause is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, constant velocity joint gaiter split and parking brake recording little or no effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Daihatsu Applause.
Daihatsu Applause Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Daihatsu Applause. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Daihatsu Applause MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Daihatsu Applause to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Daihatsu Applause Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Daihatsu Applause fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Daihatsu Applause Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Daihatsu Applause owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Daihatsu Applause MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Daihatsu Applause year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 64 | 67.2% | 62,630 | 72,480 | 83,850 |
| 1994 | 223 | 61.4% | 57,982 | 79,352 | 96,007 |
| 1993 | 523 | 62.7% | 55,712 | 79,190 | 105,856 |
| 1992 | 610 | 60.8% | 58,800 | 78,921 | 103,376 |
| 1991 | 347 | 61.4% | 53,685 | 81,108 | 104,080 |
| 1990 | 308 | 61.7% | 59,189 | 79,134 | 98,689 |
How Long Does a Daihatsu Applause Last?
Based on 515 Daihatsu Applause vehicles on UK roads.
Daihatsu Applause Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Daihatsu Applause MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Daihatsu Applause
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
67.2% MOT pass rate from 64 tests
60.8% MOT pass rate from 610 tests
The best year to buy a used Daihatsu Applause is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 67.2% across 64 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Daihatsu Applause Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daihatsu Applause THIS CAR | 61.9% | 2,144 | 79,232 mi | 36 yrs |
| Daihatsu Sirion | 77.3% | 250,499 | 48,096 mi | 28 yrs |
| Daihatsu Terios | 73.8% | 225,773 | 64,314 mi | 29 yrs |
| Daihatsu Fourtrak | 65.9% | 202,121 | 93,622 mi | 40 yrs |
| Volkswagen Caddy Maxi C20 Comm Pro TDI | 88.5% | 667 | 46,852 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Daihatsu Sirion (77.3% pass rate) and the Daihatsu Terios (73.8% pass rate), the Daihatsu Applause trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Daihatsu Applause you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Daihatsu ApplauseShould you buy a used Daihatsu Applause?
The Daihatsu Applause has an overall MOT pass rate of 61.9% across 2,144 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Daihatsu Applause are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (262 recorded failures), constant velocity joint gaiter split (177), and parking brake recording little or no effort (144). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Daihatsu Applause owner drives around 3,108 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Daihatsu Applause models stay on UK roads for around 36 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.