Dutton Phaeton Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Dutton Phaeton car check
Is the Dutton Phaeton reliable? We analysed 594 real MOT tests across 107 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Dutton Phaeton? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Dutton Phaeton is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, stop lamp not working and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Dutton Phaeton.
Dutton Phaeton Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Dutton Phaeton. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Dutton Phaeton MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Dutton Phaeton to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Dutton Phaeton Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Dutton Phaeton fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Dutton Phaeton Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Dutton Phaeton owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Dutton Phaeton MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Dutton Phaeton year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 67 | 71.6% | 10,456 | 12,907 | 22,782 |
| 1984 | 56 | 80.4% | 2,828 | 8,705 | 15,190 |
| 1981 | 57 | 78.9% | 2,156 | 65,175 | 79,920 |
How Long Does a Dutton Phaeton Last?
Based on 107 Dutton Phaeton vehicles on UK roads.
Dutton Phaeton Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Dutton Phaeton MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Dutton Phaeton
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.4% MOT pass rate from 56 tests
71.6% MOT pass rate from 67 tests
The best year to buy a used Dutton Phaeton is 1984, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.4% across 56 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Dutton Phaeton Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dutton Phaeton THIS CAR | 80.1% | 594 | 15,599 mi | 45 yrs |
| Yamaha Rxs | 76.5% | 935 | 21,869 mi | 38 yrs |
| Land Rover R Rover Velar R-dyn S PHEV A | 83.5% | 266 | 33,120 mi | — yrs |
| Audi Q7 Sport 50 TDI MHEV QUATTRO A | 91.7% | 564 | 38,120 mi | — yrs |
| MG Hs SE PHEV Auto | 96.9% | 288 | 26,292 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Rxs (76.5% pass rate) and the Land Rover R Rover Velar R-dyn S PHEV A (83.5% pass rate), the Dutton Phaeton sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
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Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Dutton PhaetonShould you buy a used Dutton Phaeton?
The Dutton Phaeton has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.1% across 594 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 Dutton Phaeton are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (19 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (18), and brake binding (13). 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 Dutton Phaeton owner drives around 265 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 Dutton Phaeton models stay on UK roads for around 45 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.