Daihatsu Fieldman

What fails its inspection

Great Britain's MOT record for the 1998 2.8 diesel. 24 of 60 tests failed, 40%.

Better than 1% of 1998 cars. The typical one fails 25%, across 269 models with enough tests behind them to say.

The defects inspectors cite

• A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
• Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point
• Exhaust system leaking or insecure
• Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake

Where it stands out against its peers

• Lights and electrics: failed more often than 94% of 1998 cars — 58% of its 24 failed tests, where an ordinary 1998 car has 37%.
• Body and structure: failed more often than 93% of 1998 cars — 50% of its 24 failed tests, where an ordinary 1998 car has 27%.
• Steering: failed more often than 95% of 1998 cars — 25% of its 24 failed tests, where an ordinary 1998 car has 5%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.

Before you buy one

Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.

• Suspension — 46% of its failures
  • A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
• Brakes — 29% of its failures
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
• Steering — 25% of its failures
• Lights and electrics — 58% of its failures
  • A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• Body and structure — 50% of its failures
  • Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
• Seat belts and airbags — 17% of its failures
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired