Daihatsu Copen Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Daihatsu Copen car check
Is the Daihatsu Copen reliable? We analysed 38,710 real MOT tests across 2,415 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Daihatsu Copen? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Daihatsu Copen is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Daihatsu Copen.
Daihatsu Copen Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Daihatsu Copen. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Daihatsu Copen MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Daihatsu Copen to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Daihatsu Copen Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Daihatsu Copen fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Daihatsu Copen Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Daihatsu Copen owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Daihatsu Copen MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Daihatsu Copen year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 81 | 77.8% | 25,100 | 58,431 | 76,740 |
| 2009 | 3,114 | 84.2% | 23,250 | 38,036 | 59,626 |
| 2008 | 5,591 | 83.6% | 23,082 | 39,779 | 57,804 |
| 2007 | 5,567 | 81.1% | 26,750 | 44,890 | 68,977 |
| 2006 | 4,753 | 77.0% | 24,275 | 39,627 | 59,429 |
| 2005 | 4,000 | 78.5% | 24,570 | 40,411 | 57,586 |
| 2004 | 11,168 | 77.7% | 26,116 | 42,400 | 60,479 |
| 2003 | 4,066 | 77.8% | 29,073 | 46,246 | 63,242 |
| 2002 | 60 | 80.0% | 20,244 | 23,318 | 47,780 |
How Long Does a Daihatsu Copen Last?
Based on 2,415 Daihatsu Copen vehicles on UK roads.
Daihatsu Copen Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Daihatsu Copen 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 Copen
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.2% MOT pass rate from 3,114 tests
77.0% MOT pass rate from 4,753 tests
The best year to buy a used Daihatsu Copen is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.2% across 3,114 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Daihatsu Copen Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daihatsu Copen THIS CAR | 79.6% | 38,710 | 41,895 mi | 23 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 Golf S TDI | 82.6% | 14,095 | 117,811 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Daihatsu Sirion (77.3% pass rate) and the Daihatsu Terios (73.8% pass rate), the Daihatsu Copen outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Daihatsu Copen 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 CopenShould you buy a used Daihatsu Copen?
The Daihatsu Copen has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.6% across 38,710 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Daihatsu Copen are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (717 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (540), and exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (452). 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 Copen owner drives around 2,614 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 Copen models stay on UK roads for around 23 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.