Thinking about buying a used Daihatsu Mira (1990–2018) in New Zealand? We've documented 13 known faults for this model spanning engine, transmission, electrical, and suspension. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
13
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$250–$650
Typical repair
6
Systems covered
Known Daihatsu Mira faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
01EF/JB Series Timing Belt Failure (Interference Engine)
CriticalCommonEngine $320–$520 to fix
The EF and JB-series 0.66L engines used in L200, L500, and L700 Mira generations are interference designs where belt failure causes piston-to-valve contact and catastrophic engine damage. JDM imports frequently exceed the 60,000 km or 5-year replacement interval. An additional failure mode is tensioner spring fatigue, which can cause belt jump before complete breakage and is not always immediately obvious.
Symptoms to notice
Engine cranks but will not start
Sudden total loss of power while driving
Engine misfires or runs roughly after partial belt slip
What to check
Request full service history showing timing belt replacement with km and date. If undocumented, treat as an immediate pre-use requirement. Inspect the tensioner and idler pulley whenever the belt is accessed.
Where to look: Front of engine beneath timing cover, passenger side
Ask the seller
“Has the timing belt and tensioner been replaced, and at what km?”
“Are there service records to confirm this work?”
02Eco Idle idle-stop faults and battery drain (Mira e:S)
MinorCommonElectrical $250–$650 to fix
The Mira e:S introduced Daihatsu's Eco Idle system, which stops the engine as you slow below about 7 km/h. It is fiddly and a common source of complaints: a blinking Eco Idle light, the system refusing to work (it won't operate if the seat belt is off or if faults like ABS or a bonnet switch are present), and - if the small battery is tired - the engine failing to restart cleanly and the battery discharging. The idle-stop battery is a specific type; a wrong cheap replacement makes it worse.
Symptoms to notice
Eco Idle light blinking or the system not stopping the engine
Slow or rough restart after an idle-stop
Battery going flat or needing frequent jumps
What to check
Warm the car and, with your belt on, come to a stop and check the engine stops and restarts smoothly with no blinking Eco Idle light. Ask the age and type of the battery. A car whose idle-stop has been switched off may be hiding a fault.
Where to look: Idle-stop battery in the engine bay; Eco Idle system sensors
Ask the seller
“Does the Eco Idle stop-start work without a blinking light?”
“How old is the battery and is it the correct idle-stop type?”
“Has the car ever failed to restart or gone flat?”
TransmissionMajor
TransmissionMajor
TransmissionMajor
EngineMajor
ElectricalMajor
EngineMajor
SuspensionMajor
BrakesMajor
SuspensionMinor
EngineMinor
Body & RustMinor
11 more documented faults on the Daihatsu Mira
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 13 documented faults for the Daihatsu Mira, the recurring problem areas are engine, transmission, and electrical. A Daihatsu Mira with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Daihatsu Mira?
+
We've catalogued 13 known faults for the Daihatsu Mira, covering engine, transmission, and electrical. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Daihatsu Mira?
+
Most single repairs on the Daihatsu Mira fall between $250–$650 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 13 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Daihatsu Mira?
+
Yes. A Daihatsu Mira inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.