Daimler V8 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Daimler V8 appears in 1,734 MOT tests spanning model years 1980–2016, and 80.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (25.5% fail rate), the V8 comes out 5.6pp better. Its most common failure areas are suspension, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (8.5%) and lighting & signalling (7.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and integral vehicle structure condition — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 101 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.6% in the 0-30k band and 27.5% in the 150k+ band, a 12.9-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.1% in 2021 to 16.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every V8 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 30 | 86.7% | 13.3% | Brakes |
| 1990 | 40 | 90.0% | 10.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1991 | 30 | 66.7% | 33.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1994 | 41 | 85.4% | 14.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1995 | 68 | 89.7% | 10.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1996 | 70 | 81.4% | 18.6% | Emissions & environmental |
| 1997 | 140 | 78.6% | 21.4% | Suspension |
| 1998 | 392 | 80.1% | 19.9% | Suspension |
| 1999 | 228 | 75.4% | 24.6% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 2000 | 166 | 78.9% | 21.1% | Suspension |
| 2001 | 218 | 79.8% | 20.2% | Suspension |
| 2002 | 98 | 79.6% | 20.4% | Suspension |
| 2003 | 34 | 88.2% | 11.8% | Visibility |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 8.5% | 148 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 134 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.4% | 94 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.4% | 94 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 93 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 80 |
| 7 | Tyres | 3.5% | 61 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.2% | 38 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 101 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 95 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 60 |
| 4 | Washers | 57 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 43 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 41 |
| 7 | Wipers | 39 |
| 8 | Headlamp | 39 |
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 | 31.0% | 537 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.7% | 341 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.7% | 289 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.8% | 256 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 159 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.8% | 135 |
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 | 89 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 304 | 14.8% |
| 60-90k | 616 | 17.7% |
| 90-120k | 377 | 23.1% |
| 120-150k | 224 | 24.6% |
| 150k+ | 120 | 27.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 409 | 20.1% |
| 2022 | 374 | 19.3% |
| 2023 | 362 | 20.7% |
| 2024 | 316 | 22.1% |
| 2025 | 273 | 16.9% |
What to check before buying a Daimler V8
- Suspension (8.5% 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 (7.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (5.4% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Daimler V8?
80.1% of the 1,734 Daimler V8 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 19.9% fail rate, across model years 1980–2016.
What does the Daimler V8 most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension, recorded in 8.5% of tests, then lighting & signalling (7.7%).
How much does mileage affect V8 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 14.6% for cars in the 0-30k band and 27.5% for 150k+, a 12.9-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,734 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.