1998 Daimler Super V8 — MOT failures & pass rate
343 MOT tests on the 1998 Daimler Super V8 are in this dataset, and 81.9% of them passed. That is 7.5 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.6%. Failures cluster in suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (10.2%) and body, structure & corrosion (7.6%) 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, integral vehicle structure condition and chassis condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 24 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 17.9% versus 11.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 17.8% in 2021 to 15.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.2% | 35 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 26 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 25 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.7% | 16 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.7% | 16 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.8% | 13 |
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 | 24 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 23 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 15 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 11 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 11 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 9 |
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 | 37.3% | 128 |
| 2 | Tyres | 21.9% | 75 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.7% | 64 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 59 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.3% | 49 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.6% | 26 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 42 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 67 | 10.4% |
| 90-120k | 115 | 17.4% |
| 120-150k | 74 | 29.7% |
| 150k+ | 39 | 17.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 73 | 17.8% |
| 2022 | 67 | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 76 | 19.7% |
| 2024 | 69 | 21.7% |
| 2025 | 58 | 15.5% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Super V8
On a 1998 Super V8, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (10.2% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (7.6% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Lighting & signalling (7.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 Daimler Super V8s pass their MOT?
81.9% of the 343 1998 Daimler Super V8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Daimler Super V8?
Suspension, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (7.6%).
Does the 1998 Super V8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 30-60k band to 17.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 343 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.