2009 Daihatsu Terios 1.5L Petrol · LR09 KAA

A clean and consistent MOT record defines this 2009 Daihatsu Terios, with four passes and one administrative failure across the last three testing cycles, the most recent pass recorded on 25 September 2025 with no advisories or defects noted. The absence of corrosion advisories, brake warnings, suspension flags, or exhaust concerns over successive years indicates the vehicle has maintained a stable pattern of roadworthiness heading into its seventeenth year. The single failure dated 27 September 2024 carries no recorded defects, which strongly suggests it was either a procedural issue or a rectification that occurred immediately and led to a same-day or next-day pass. Overall, the trend is one of mechanical consistency rather than deterioration, which is reassuring for a vehicle of this age. With 94,213 miles recorded across roughly seventeen years, the Terios has covered approximately 5,540 miles annually, a figure that places it firmly in low-mileage territory for its age and platform. There are no significant gaps in the MOT history that would suggest long periods off the road, nor any sharp mileage jumps between tests that might indicate inconsistent use. Mechanically, this gentle rate of accumulation means that major drivetrain components, clutch, transmission, and engine internals have experienced less wear than typical examples of similar vintage. However, low annual mileage also carries implications for components that suffer as much from standing as from use, particularly rubber elements that can deteriorate through lack of regular flexing, along with brake discs that may have developed surface corrosion from infrequent operation. Given that no such items were flagged in testing, the vehicle appears to have been exercised regularly enough to keep these concerns at bay. For a prospective buyer, the absence of advisory data means there are no specific flagged components to chase down with the seller, but a careful physical inspection remains essential given the age and platform. On a test drive, listen for any clonks or knocks from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly from the lower wishbones and anti-roll bar bushes, areas commonly fatigued on Terios models of this generation. Feel for any pulling under braking or vague pedal response, as the brake calipers and flexible hoses will be original equipment and worth close visual inspection for corrosion or weeping. The steering should feel precise without excess play, and any rattle from the exhaust under load could indicate a perished mounting or weak joint, even if emissions testing produced no concerns. Given the vehicle's age, additional checks should include a thorough inspection of the underbody and subframe mounting points for any emerging corrosion, particularly around the rear axle and suspension pick-up points, as these areas tend to deteriorate on Terios vehicles that have seen winter road use. Inspect all tyres for even wear patterns, as uneven front wear can indicate alignment issues or worn suspension geometry. Verify that the cooling system is in sound order, checking for any signs of leakage from the radiator or hoses, and confirm the timing chain or belt service history depending on the engine variant fitted. Finally, ensure all electrical systems operate correctly, particularly the four-wheel-drive engagement and any centre diff lock function, as electrical faults can develop on older Terios models without necessarily triggering an MOT failure. The clean MOT history provides a strong starting point, but a pre-purchase inspection by a competent mechanic remains advisable given the vehicle's age.