James Captain Car Check — MOT History, Reliability & Faults
Free MOT history & reliability data
Is the James Captain reliable? We analysed 412 real MOT tests across 147 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific James Captain? Enter the reg for a free check:
The James Captain is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include horn not working, steering headbearing has excessive free play and roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used James Captain.
James Captain Number Plates
Number plates registered to a James Captain. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
James Captain Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a James Captain fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
James Captain Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical James Captain owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
How Long Does a James Captain Last?
Based on 147 James Captain vehicles on UK roads.
James Captain Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all James Captain MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
How Does the James Captain Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Captain THIS CAR | 91.5% | 412 | 14,036 mi | — yrs |
| Rolls Royce Cullinan Black Badge Auto | 96% | 478 | 16,742 mi | — yrs |
| Seat Exeo Sport Cr TDI 141 | 80.8% | 668 | 129,184 mi | — yrs |
| Kawasaki Ej 800 Ckf Cafe | 96.9% | 289 | 2,713 mi | — yrs |
| Chrysler Town & Country | 72.5% | 754 | 77,400 mi | 21 yrs |
Compared to the Rolls Royce Cullinan Black Badge Auto (96.0% pass rate) and the Seat Exeo Sport Cr TDI 141 (80.8% pass rate), the James Captain sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a James Captain you like?
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 James CaptainShould you buy a used James Captain?
The James Captain has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.5% across 412 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 James Captain are horn not working (3 recorded failures), steering headbearing has excessive free play (3), and roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort (3). 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 James Captain owner drives around 108 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.
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.