1998 Daimler V8 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Daimler V8 passed 80.1% of its 392 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (25.6% fail rate), the 1998 V8 comes out 5.7pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.4%) and lighting & signalling (7.9%) 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 headlamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 21 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.2% in the 30-60k band and 21.9% in the 150k+ band, a 4.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.0% in 2021 to 14.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.4% | 37 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 31 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.1% | 24 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.9% | 23 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 18 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.1% | 12 |
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 | 21 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 19 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 13 |
| 4 | Washers | 13 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 12 |
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% | 141 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.9% | 82 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.8% | 66 |
| 4 | Tyres | 15.8% | 62 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 33 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.6% | 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 | 64 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 128 | 15.6% |
| 90-120k | 67 | 22.4% |
| 120-150k | 82 | 25.6% |
| 150k+ | 32 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90 | 20.0% |
| 2022 | 75 | 12.0% |
| 2023 | 84 | 21.4% |
| 2024 | 86 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 57 | 14.0% |
What to check before buying a 1998 V8
On a 1998 V8, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (9.4% 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 (7.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (6.1% 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 1998 Daimler V8s pass their MOT?
80.1% of the 392 1998 Daimler V8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Daimler V8?
Suspension, recorded in 9.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.9%).
Does the 1998 V8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.2% in the 30-60k band to 21.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 392 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.