Leyland Daf 400 Series Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Leyland Daf 400 Series car check
Is the Leyland Daf 400 Series reliable? We analysed 2,361 real MOT tests across 483 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Leyland Daf 400 Series? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Leyland Daf 400 Series is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include service brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Leyland Daf 400 Series.
Leyland Daf 400 Series Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Leyland Daf 400 Series. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Leyland Daf 400 Series MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Leyland Daf 400 Series to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Leyland Daf 400 Series Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Leyland Daf 400 Series fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Leyland Daf 400 Series Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Leyland Daf 400 Series owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Leyland Daf 400 Series MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Leyland Daf 400 Series year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 168 | 61.3% | 27,963 | 65,323 | 93,834 |
| 1993 | 352 | 63.9% | 43,949 | 62,271 | 94,528 |
| 1992 | 445 | 65.8% | 37,266 | 59,232 | 103,405 |
| 1991 | 666 | 64.9% | 34,374 | 59,688 | 91,379 |
| 1990 | 548 | 60.8% | 54,082 | 79,143 | 104,297 |
| 1989 | 136 | 69.1% | 27,441 | 77,498 | 118,408 |
How Long Does a Leyland Daf 400 Series Last?
Based on 483 Leyland Daf 400 Series vehicles on UK roads.
Leyland Daf 400 Series Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Leyland Daf 400 Series 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 Leyland Daf 400 Series
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
69.1% MOT pass rate from 136 tests
60.8% MOT pass rate from 548 tests
The best year to buy a used Leyland Daf 400 Series is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.1% across 136 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Leyland Daf 400 Series Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leyland Daf 400 Series THIS CAR | 63.7% | 2,361 | 66,838 mi | 37 yrs |
| Leyland Daf 400 Series Diesel | 60.5% | 13,935 | 97,292 mi | 37 yrs |
| Leyland Daf 200 Series Diesel | 62.6% | 6,901 | 99,748 mi | 37 yrs |
| Leyland Daf 400 Series Diesel Turbo | 61.6% | 5,137 | 112,996 mi | 36 yrs |
| Kawasaki ZL1000 | 85.3% | 1,235 | 28,648 mi | 39 yrs |
Compared to the Leyland Daf 400 Series Diesel (60.5% pass rate) and the Leyland Daf 200 Series Diesel (62.6% pass rate), the Leyland Daf 400 Series outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Leyland Daf 400 Series 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 Leyland Daf 400 SeriesShould you buy a used Leyland Daf 400 Series?
The Leyland Daf 400 Series has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.7% across 2,361 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Leyland Daf 400 Series are service brake: efficiency below requirements (113 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (105), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (92). 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 Leyland Daf 400 Series owner drives around 1,212 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 Leyland Daf 400 Series models stay on UK roads for around 37 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.