2008 Daihatsu Materia — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,569 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Daihatsu Materia, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 79.5% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.9% in the 150k+ group versus 15.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 166 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.2% | 145 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.7% | 121 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.3% | 84 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 78 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.7% | 58 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 75 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 68 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 64 |
| 4 | Wipers | 56 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 54 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 48 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 35.6% | 559 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.1% | 504 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.5% | 400 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.1% | 206 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 192 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 163 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 45 | 15.6% |
| 30-60k | 328 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 558 | 19.0% |
| 90-120k | 375 | 22.9% |
| 120-150k | 189 | 30.7% |
| 150k+ | 73 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 318 | 15.4% |
| 2022 | 331 | 17.2% |
| 2023 | 351 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 305 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 264 | 24.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Materia
Before buying a 2008 Daihatsu Materia, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 10.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (10.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Daihatsu Materias pass their MOT?
79.5% of the 1,569 2008 Daihatsu Materia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Daihatsu Materia?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests, followed by suspension (9.2%).
Does the 2008 Materia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 0-30k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,569 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.