2004 Daihatsu Copen 0.7L Petrol · R6 VNT

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a concerning trend regarding structural integrity. While it passed its most recent test in February 2026 at 94,023 miles, it had failed just one day prior for defective seat belt retracting mechanisms on both sides. The most critical issue remains the persistent corrosion on the chassis. Although the tester noted that structural rigidity is not yet significantly reduced, the recurring mention of corrosion across multiple tests indicates the vehicle is reaching a stage of advanced metal degradation. At 94,023 miles over 22 years, this Copen has averaged a low annual usage of approximately 4,274 miles per year. The data shows consistent but infrequent use, with roughly 1,700 miles driven between the 2024 and 2025 tests and another 1,443 miles between February 2025 and February 2026. This low mileage often correlates with age-related rubber perish and oxidation due to long periods of standing, which aligns with the structural issues identified in the official record. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the rear chassis and body mounting points to assess the extent of the rust. The February 2025 failure specifically highlighted excessive corrosion on the offside rear structure affecting strength within 30cm of a mounting, which is a serious concern. You should also verify that the seat belt mechanisms flagged last year were properly replaced or repaired rather than just temporarily adjusted. Given the age of the vehicle and the low mileage, the progression of the rust is the primary risk to the long-term viability of this car.