Daimler V8
From 824 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a tyre seriously damaged and a shock absorber bush excessively worn. The top issue, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, caused 56 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 56 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 22 |
| a shock absorber bush excessively worn | 20 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 19 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 18 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 15 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 15 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 14 |
| body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point | 14 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 12 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 33.2% of V8 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 33.7% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £171.
Daimler V8 on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 10 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 10.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 967 | 584 | +0 | -5 | -5 |
| 2025 Q2 | 972 | 584 | +0 | -1 | -1 |
| 2025 Q1 | 972 | 585 | +0 | -0 | +6 |
| 2024 Q4 | 984 | 567 | +0 | -4 | -4 |
| 2024 Q3 | 998 | 557 | +1 | -2 | -1 |
| 2024 Q2 | 1,014 | 542 | +0 | -0 | +0 |
| 2024 Q1 | 1,012 | 544 | +1 | -8 | -7 |
| 2023 Q4 | 1,012 | 551 | +0 | -6 | -6 |
3 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| V8 250 | Petrol | 706 | 73% |
| Super V8 Auto | Petrol | 155 | 16% |
| V8 Auto | Petrol | 106 | 11% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 68.4% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point |
| 1998 | 73.6% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
Typical mileage
Half of all V8s tested had between 67,719 and 127,784 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 87,883 median miles, the V8 has 0.026 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Common questions
What is the Daimler V8 MOT pass rate?
The Daimler V8 has a 77.1% MOT pass rate based on 824 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Daimler V8?
The most common MOT failure on the Daimler V8 is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which caused 56 failures. Other common issues include a tyre seriously damaged.
How many Daimler V8s are on UK roads?
There are 967 Daimler V8s currently licensed on UK roads, with 584 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Daimler V8 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Daimler V8 is 87,883 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 67,719 and 127,784 miles.
Buying a used V8?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 77.1% pass rate and an average repair bill of £171 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 33.2% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.