2001 Daimler Super V8 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 253 MOT tests, the 2001 Daimler Super V8 recorded a 78.7% pass rate. That is 5.7 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.0%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 13.0% of all tests — 5.9 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, sub-frame mounting prescribed areas and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 28 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 26.8% versus 20.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.0% | 33 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 18 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.3% | 16 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.9% | 15 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 12 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 10 |
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 | 28 |
| 2 | Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas | 10 |
| 3 | Wipers | 9 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 7 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 7 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 7 |
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 | 36.0% | 91 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.9% | 53 |
| 3 | Tyres | 14.2% | 36 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.2% | 36 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.3% | 26 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 21 |
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 | 30 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 56 | 14.3% |
| 90-120k | 83 | 24.1% |
| 120-150k | 43 | 20.9% |
| 150k+ | 41 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52 | 17.3% |
| 2022 | 51 | 15.7% |
| 2023 | 54 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 50 | 20.0% |
| 2025 | 46 | 21.7% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Super V8
On a 2001 Super V8, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.0% 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 (7.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (6.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2001 Daimler Super V8s pass their MOT?
78.7% of the 253 2001 Daimler Super V8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Daimler Super V8?
Suspension, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.1%).
Does the 2001 Super V8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 30-60k band to 26.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 253 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.