Used car guide

2002 Daihatsu YRV: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Daihatsu YRV first registered in 2002: we looked at the 103 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 103 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

103MOTs of 2002 cars, done in 2023–2025
53%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 58%)
3,200typical miles a year
4.5×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 Daihatsu YRV?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 Daihatsu YRV than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings4.5× usual
    Daihatsu YRV
    30.1% All 2002 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.7%, against 3.5% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2002 Daihatsu YRV MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 Daihatsu YRV MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    50% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    37% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Rust and bodywork
    24% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    22% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 Daihatsu YRV

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the 2002 Daihatsu YRV as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Daihatsu YRV?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Daihatsu YRV compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2004109Lights and electrics 43%
2003108Lights and electrics 48%
2001118Lights and electrics 42%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Daihatsu YRV cars first registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score