2008 Daihatsu Copen 1.3L Petrol · FX08 NVS

The 1.3-litre petrol Copen typically returns around 35-40 mpg in mixed use, which keeps fuel costs reasonable for a car likely to be used sparingly as a second vehicle. Road tax for a 1,298cc petrol of this age is the standard £190 annual rate, and insurance should fall into group 10-12, keeping premiums modest at perhaps £300-£450 per year for an experienced driver.

However, maintenance is where the budget assumptions break down. The MOT history shows brake components have been an ongoing problem, and a full brake hydraulic overhaul on a Copen — including pipes, ABS block repair or replacement, rear drums, and shoes — could easily cost £800-£1,200. Add the prospect of structural welding to the sill and you have a car whose annual maintenance could realistically run £600-£900 even in a quiet year, on top of standard consumables. Overall estimated annual running cost is £1,200-£1,800 once realistic maintenance is included.

The most critical inspection point is the offside rear sill, which was flagged in May 2025 as having excessive corrosion affecting body security or stability. Place the car on a ramp and physically check both sills, the rear wheel arches, and the front chassis legs for bubbling paint or penetrating rust. Any structural welding is a major job and must be assessed for quality. Next, examine the entire brake hydraulic system: lift all four wheels and inspect every brake pipe for corrosion, paying special attention to the front-to-rear pipes and the connections at the ABS modulator, which previously leaked.

Check the front tyres for uneven inner-edge wear, which was a repeated advisory and can indicate worn suspension components or tracking issues. Inspect the rear drums for the binding problem noted in May 2026 — the handbrake mechanism and rear shoe adjusters commonly seize on low-use cars, and the fact that the handbrake efficiency was below 50% suggests this has not been serviced. Finally, test both headlights for reduced output, as the May 2024 fail cited both front headlamp lenses being severely obscured, and confirm the rear number plate lamp works.