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Daimler V8 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Daimler V8 car check

Is the Daimler V8 reliable? We analysed 22,704 real MOT tests across 2,052 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 22,704 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
76.7%
Typical Mileage
71,920mi
Annual Mileage
1,164mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
63yrs

The Daimler V8 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Daimler V8.

Daimler V8 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Daimler V8. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Daimler V8 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Daimler V8 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

80.5%
2010
85.9%
2007
76.1%
2006
78.6%
2005
82.3%
2004
81.5%
2003
84.5%
2002
81.5%
2001
78.6%
2000
76.1%
1999
74.4%
1998
76%
1997
79.2%
1996
77.1%
1995
73.4%
1994
69%
1993
73%
1992
63.9%
1991
72.4%
1990
65.5%
1989

Daimler V8 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Daimler V8 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 696
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 681
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 495
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 422
parking brake recording little or no effort 308
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 288
Stop lamp not working 285
Brake pipe excessively corroded 281
brake binding 253
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 248

Daimler V8 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Daimler V8 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
306 mi/yr
Typical
1,164 mi/yr
Average
2,594 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,211 mi/yr

Daimler V8 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Daimler V8 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2010 118 80.5% 24,101 34,381 47,347
2007 71 85.9% 12,217 46,474 59,027
2006 71 76.1% 29,144 47,684 55,926
2005 56 78.6% 25,056 43,516 91,540
2004 62 82.3% 32,628 64,840 104,273
2003 216 81.5% 30,795 56,107 69,497
2002 625 84.5% 37,364 54,112 74,129
2001 1,432 81.5% 47,998 67,829 90,938
2000 1,227 78.6% 53,818 71,385 94,430
1999 2,001 76.1% 53,329 74,132 102,878
1998 3,535 74.4% 60,678 86,796 117,083
1997 1,228 76.0% 60,454 89,719 121,176
1996 600 79.2% 65,398 88,260 108,030
1995 773 77.1% 67,986 86,934 117,628
1994 482 73.4% 84,839 107,166 144,529
1993 248 69.0% 85,305 104,262 129,306
1992 233 73.0% 82,903 101,305 122,666
1991 360 63.9% 71,391 99,805 141,854
1990 554 72.4% 68,641 101,602 129,600
1989 469 65.5% 66,894 95,210 127,310

How Long Does a Daimler V8 Last?

Based on 2,052 Daimler V8 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
31.4 years
Median
27.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
63 years

Daimler V8 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Daimler V8 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
71,920 mi
75th Percentile
96,113 mi
95th Percentile
149,884 mi
Max Recorded
858,766 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Daimler V8

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

Best year
1962

89.1% MOT pass rate from 64 tests

Year to avoid
1980

62.5% MOT pass rate from 80 tests

The best year to buy a used Daimler V8 is 1962, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.1% across 64 tests. The 1980 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Daimler V8 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Daimler V8 THIS CAR 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
Daimler Sp 250 85.6% 5,091 38,437 mi 66 yrs
Mitsubishi Outlander Dynamic PHEV CVT 87.2% 11,771 40,714 mi — yrs

Compared to the Daimler Super V8 (78.5% pass rate) and the Daimler Limousine Auto (74.6% pass rate), the Daimler V8 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Daimler V8?

The Daimler V8 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.7% across 22,704 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Daimler V8 are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (696 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (681), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (495). 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 V8 owner drives around 1,164 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 V8 models stay on UK roads for around 63 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 V8 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Daimler V8 reliable?
Based on 22,704 MOT tests, the Daimler V8 has a 76.7% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Daimler V8?
The most common MOT failures are parking brake: efficiency below requirements, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Daimler V8 do per year?
The typical Daimler V8 does around 1,164 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Daimler V8 last?
Most Daimler V8 models stay on UK roads for around 63 years based on our analysis of 2,052 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Daimler V8?
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 V8?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Daimler V8 is 1962 with a 89.1% pass rate across 64 tests.