Daimler Super V8 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Daimler Super V8 appears in 1,692 MOT tests spanning model years 1982–2020, and 81.7% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 26.3% of the time, so this is 8.1pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.0%) and lighting & signalling (7.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, ball joint dust cover and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 99 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.1% in the 0-30k band and 22.1% in the 150k+ band, a 12.0-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 30.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Super V8 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 90 | 80.0% | 20.0% | Suspension |
| 1998 | 343 | 81.9% | 18.1% | Suspension |
| 1999 | 197 | 80.7% | 19.3% | Suspension |
| 2000 | 179 | 78.8% | 21.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2001 | 253 | 78.7% | 21.3% | Suspension |
| 2002 | 119 | 84.9% | 15.1% | Suspension |
| 2005 | 35 | 91.4% | 8.6% | Suspension |
| 2006 | 270 | 83.7% | 16.3% | Suspension |
| 2007 | 82 | 74.4% | 25.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2008 | 60 | 86.7% | 13.3% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.0% | 153 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.2% | 122 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.7% | 79 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.4% | 74 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.7% | 62 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 62 |
| 7 | Tyres | 2.9% | 49 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.8% | 31 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 99 |
| 2 | Ball joint dust cover | 58 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 44 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 42 |
| 6 | Wipers | 41 |
| 7 | Washers | 34 |
| 8 | Catalyst emissions | 34 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 30.4% | 514 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.9% | 303 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.8% | 301 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.8% | 183 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 154 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 103 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 69 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 248 | 13.7% |
| 60-90k | 498 | 15.1% |
| 90-120k | 423 | 20.3% |
| 120-150k | 273 | 24.5% |
| 150k+ | 181 | 22.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 368 | 17.7% |
| 2022 | 352 | 14.8% |
| 2023 | 349 | 19.2% |
| 2024 | 319 | 19.8% |
| 2025 | 304 | 20.4% |
What to check before buying a Daimler Super V8
- Suspension (9.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (7.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Daimler Super V8?
81.7% of the 1,692 Daimler Super V8 MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 18.3% fail rate, across model years 1982–2020.
What does the Daimler Super V8 most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension, recorded in 9.0% of tests, then lighting & signalling (7.2%).
How much does mileage affect Super V8 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 10.1% for cars in the 0-30k band and 22.1% for 150k+, a 12.0-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,692 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.