Daihatsu Copen (2006)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 219 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,750

£146/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

659cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £1,750/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol659cc20 years old219 tests61k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 659cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,750

Per month£146/mo

Per week£34/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data.

74% of MOT tests on Daihatsu Copens from 2006 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 18 years old. That's based on 219 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 61,243 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2006 models281st of 554(bottom half)

Rank among Daihatsu models30th of 100(top half)

vs average of all models-8%(82% avg)

vs 2006 models average+1%(73% avg)

vs Daihatsu average+3%(71% avg)

Mileage Analysis

61,243

Average miles

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2006 Daihatsu Copen had 61,243 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2009 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 86%, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 74%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Daihatsu Copen by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2009	86%	348	59,344 mi
2008	83%	466	56,910 mi
2007	80%	373	66,385 mi
2006	74%	219	61,243 mi
2005	82%	219	58,916 mi
2004	75%	487	64,168 mi
2003	77%	149	63,167 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Nissan Micra

2005 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

72%

-2%

Peugeot 107

2008 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

71%

-3%

Toyota Aygo

2008 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

70%

-4%

Vauxhall Corsa

2004 · 998cc Petrol

£1,950/year

68%

-6%

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About the 2006 Daihatsu Copen

The 2006 Daihatsu Copen is a city car. Our records list a 659cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 219 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2006, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 61,243 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Daihatsu Copen owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2006 Daihatsu Copen Fuel Costs

The modest 659cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2006 Daihatsu Copen?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,750 (£146/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Daihatsu Copen Reliability Trend

The Daihatsu Copen has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2006 Daihatsu Copen

At 20 years old, the Daihatsu Copen is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2006 Daihatsu Copen stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Daihatsu Copen(2006)	74%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750
Nissan Micra(2005)	72%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750same
Peugeot 107(2008)	71%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750same
Toyota Aygo(2008)	70%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750same
Vauxhall Corsa(2004)	68%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950+£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2006 Daihatsu Copen

Is the 2006 Daihatsu Copen reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of MOT tests on 2006 Daihatsu Copens ended in a pass, from 219 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2006 Daihatsu Copen cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,750 a year (£146 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 Daihatsu Copen?

74% of 219 MOT tests on the 2006 Daihatsu Copen ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 281st of 554 models first registered in 2006 (bottom half).

Which year Daihatsu Copen has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2009 Daihatsu Copen has the highest MOT pass rate at 86% and the 2006 the lowest at 74%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2006 Daihatsu Copen?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2006 Daihatsu Copen is 61,243 miles, which is significantly below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.