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Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto car check

Is the Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto reliable? We analysed 2,485 real MOT tests across 349 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,485 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
72.3%
Typical Mileage
64,709mi
Annual Mileage
370mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
53yrs

The Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto.

Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

73.5%
1983
67.2%
1982
85.7%
1981
80.3%
1978
71.2%
1977
72.4%
1976
65.4%
1975
74.8%
1973

Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 174
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 120
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 94
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 85
brake binding 82
parking brake recording little or no effort 73
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 65
Stop lamp not working 63
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 58
Headlamp not working on main beam 57

Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
90 mi/yr
Typical
370 mi/yr
Average
894 mi/yr
Heavy usage
940 mi/yr

Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1983 782 73.5% 48,495 72,435 92,033
1982 335 67.2% 38,770 64,949 104,894
1981 91 85.7% 42,890 84,642 90,748
1978 76 80.3% 19,183 44,702 69,281
1977 445 71.2% 38,586 60,640 76,810
1976 315 72.4% 28,388 61,424 79,141
1975 185 65.4% 48,824 65,259 77,090
1973 115 74.8% 22,478 40,549 58,589

How Long Does a Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto Last?

Based on 349 Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto vehicles on UK roads.

Average
34.5 years
Median
34.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
53 years

Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
64,709 mi
75th Percentile
82,391 mi
95th Percentile
117,653 mi
Max Recorded
798,047 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1981

85.7% MOT pass rate from 91 tests

Year to avoid
1975

65.4% MOT pass rate from 185 tests

The best year to buy a used Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto is 1981, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.7% across 91 tests. The 1975 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto THIS CAR 72.3% 2,485 64,709 mi 53 yrs
Daimler V8 76.7% 22,704 71,920 mi 63 yrs
Daimler Super V8 78.5% 11,576 82,308 mi 31 yrs
Daimler Limousine Auto 74.6% 8,585 76,729 mi 55 yrs
Harley-davidson XLH1000 84.3% 1,233 13,280 mi 46 yrs

Compared to the Daimler V8 (76.7% pass rate) and the Daimler Super V8 (78.5% pass rate), the Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto?

The Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.3% across 2,485 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (174 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (120), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (94). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto owner drives around 370 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto models stay on UK roads for around 53 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto reliable?
Based on 2,485 MOT tests, the Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto has a 72.3% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto?
The most common MOT failures are parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto do per year?
The typical Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto does around 370 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto last?
Most Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto models stay on UK roads for around 53 years based on our analysis of 349 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Auto is 1981 with a 85.7% pass rate across 91 tests.