Jensen CV8 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Jensen CV8 car check
Is the Jensen CV8 reliable? We analysed 1,315 real MOT tests across 174 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Jensen CV8? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Jensen CV8 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Jensen CV8.
Jensen CV8 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Jensen CV8. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Jensen CV8 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Jensen CV8 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Jensen CV8 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Jensen CV8 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Jensen CV8 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Jensen CV8 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Jensen CV8 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Jensen CV8 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 93 | 81.7% | 9,994 | 37,899 | 67,180 |
| 1970 | 51 | 80.4% | 48,463 | 56,043 | 58,026 |
| 1969 | 76 | 68.4% | 51,392 | 54,807 | 69,945 |
| 1966 | 179 | 85.5% | 9,282 | 20,747 | 35,642 |
| 1965 | 275 | 82.5% | 45,142 | 67,299 | 83,008 |
| 1964 | 203 | 84.7% | 30,656 | 41,448 | 63,642 |
| 1963 | 110 | 86.4% | 22,346 | 40,222 | 61,209 |
How Long Does a Jensen CV8 Last?
Based on 174 Jensen CV8 vehicles on UK roads.
Jensen CV8 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Jensen CV8 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 Jensen CV8
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.4% MOT pass rate from 110 tests
68.4% MOT pass rate from 76 tests
The best year to buy a used Jensen CV8 is 1963, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.4% across 110 tests. The 1969 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Jensen CV8 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jensen CV8 THIS CAR | 82.7% | 1,315 | 50,146 mi | 63 yrs |
| Jensen Interceptor | 81.3% | 4,348 | 57,692 mi | 59 yrs |
| Jensen Jensen-healey | 74.8% | 2,492 | 60,312 mi | 55 yrs |
| Jensen Interceptor III Auto | 79% | 2,012 | 58,700 mi | 55 yrs |
| Dinli 801 | 77.7% | 618 | 1,742 mi | 19 yrs |
Compared to the Jensen Interceptor (81.3% pass rate) and the Jensen Jensen-healey (74.8% pass rate), the Jensen CV8 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Jensen CV8 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 Jensen CV8Should you buy a used Jensen CV8?
The Jensen CV8 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.7% across 1,315 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 Jensen CV8 are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (57 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (38), and registration plate lamp not working (28). 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 Jensen CV8 owner drives around 339 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 Jensen CV8 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.