Leyland Daf Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Leyland Daf car check
Is the Leyland Daf reliable? We analysed 494 real MOT tests across 146 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Leyland Daf? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Leyland Daf is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Leyland Daf.
Leyland Daf Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Leyland Daf. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Leyland Daf MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Leyland Daf to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Leyland Daf Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Leyland Daf fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Leyland Daf Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Leyland Daf owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Leyland Daf MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Leyland Daf year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 90 | 62.2% | 69,418 | 97,864 | 113,948 |
| 1993 | 118 | 61.0% | 81,840 | 109,125 | 127,261 |
| 1992 | 89 | 58.4% | 88,226 | 110,690 | 144,041 |
| 1991 | 73 | 69.9% | 57,725 | 71,052 | 104,308 |
How Long Does a Leyland Daf Last?
Based on 146 Leyland Daf vehicles on UK roads.
Leyland Daf Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Leyland Daf 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
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
69.9% MOT pass rate from 73 tests
58.4% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
The best year to buy a used Leyland Daf is 1991, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.9% across 73 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 58.4% — 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 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leyland Daf THIS CAR | 62.3% | 494 | 98,626 mi | 35 yrs |
| Leyland Olympian | 80.9% | 507 | 111,468 mi | 38 yrs |
| Leyland Unknown | 75.4% | 334 | 98,798 mi | 41 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz Sprinter 215 Pure CDI | 73.6% | 197 | 66,788 mi | — yrs |
| Suzuki Gsf 1200 W | 85.5% | 970 | 18,335 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the Leyland Olympian (80.9% pass rate) and the Leyland Unknown (75.4% pass rate), the Leyland Daf trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Leyland Daf 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 DafShould you buy a used Leyland Daf?
The Leyland Daf has an overall MOT pass rate of 62.3% across 494 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Leyland Daf are brake pipe excessively corroded (43 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (34), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (34). 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 owner drives around 2,946 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 models stay on UK roads for around 35 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.