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Daihatsu Copen reliability by build year

Coverage 2002-20121 named generationConvertiblePETROL

We've only got 324 MOT tests for Daihatsu Copens built around 2008 (17 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Daihatsu Copen built around 2008: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Daihatsu Copens built around 2008 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Daihatsu Copen by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Daihatsu Copen's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Copen's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Copen L880K

L880K (2002-2012)

Excellent
PETROL

21.0% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Likely between 16.9% and 25.7%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 324 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Daihatsu Copen.

See every build year for the Daihatsu Copen

By age

Daihatsu Copen fail rate by age

This chart combines every Daihatsu Copen ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
7927.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
27320.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
32421.0%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
19929.6%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
17025.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
22031.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
25730.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 20 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 17-year-old Daihatsu Copens

These issues come from 17-year-old Daihatsu Copens, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    21.6%
    Advisory: 109Fail: 12 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    16.1%
    Advisory: 56Fail: 5 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    12.3%
    Advisory: 35Fail: 34 (49% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    9.9%
    Advisory: 46Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    9.9%
    Advisory: 30Fail: 4 (12% of the times it was found)

Based on 324 MOT tests on 17-year-old Daihatsu Copens, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 17-year-old Daihatsu Copens notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Suspension33%
  2. Brakes + Tyres27%
  3. Body & structure + Brakes24%
  4. Suspension + Tyres21%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 139 MOT tests on Daihatsu Copen cars built around 2008 (17 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Daihatsu Copen.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Daihatsu Copen name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles to compare

  1. 1

    Porsche Boxster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.8%
    Dangerous
    2.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.9%

    Lower fail rate: 12.8%, against 21.0% for the Daihatsu Copen, both built around 2008.

    1,510 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Mazda MX-5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.6%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.6%

    No clear edge over the Daihatsu Copen on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    7,682 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    BMW Z4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.5%
    Dangerous
    5.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    No clear edge over the Daihatsu Copen on these figures.

    2,896 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz SLK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.3%
    Dangerous
    4.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.7%

    No clear edge over the Daihatsu Copen on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,291 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the Daihatsu Copen across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 324 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Daihatsu Copen ever sold: 1,522 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2008 (17 years old): 324 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.