Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 526 vehicles, the 1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 67%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Daimler 3.6 Auto (1989)

526 real MOT outcomes analysed • 67% first-time pass rate

1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto

CarHunch analysed 526 real MOT records for the 1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto passes its MOT first time just 67% of the time, well below the UK average of 80%, which signals this is a car that needs careful pre-purchase inspection and ongoing maintenance commitment. The good news is that dangerous defects are rare at 3.2%, so safety-critical failures aren't a widespread concern for the fleet.

These cars are running at around 95,000–100,500 miles on average for their age, which is typical mileage, but the 0.38 failures and 1.5 advisories per vehicle suggest mechanical wear is catching up with them. Budget for regular attention to minor niggles and get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks the automatic transmission, cooling system, and suspension before committing to buy.

The 1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto has a below-average first-time pass rate (67% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

First-time pass

67%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

3.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.38

Over 2.1 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

101k

Middle half: 65k–127k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 1.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

These stats describe 526 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 526 Daimler 3.6 Auto cars.

Before you buy a 1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto

Based on MOT data from 526 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 3.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	522	67%	0.38

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,810 Daimler 3.6 Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 37.5%

1,053

Red 17.2%

484

Green 11.4%

319

Grey 11.2%

314

Black 7.5%

210

Silver 6.5%

182

White 3%

Brown 2.5%

Gold 2.2%

Beige 0.7%

Maroon 0.3%

Bronze 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

100,561

typical

64,926

low mileage

127,335

high mileage

Half of all 1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto vehicles fall between 64,926 and 127,335 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 64,926 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 64,926–127,335 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1989 Daimler 3.6 Autos sit.

⚠ Over 171,902 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1989 Daimler 3.6 Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 65% of 1989 Daimler 3.6 Autos are still active.

11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 — 65% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.

MOT History Averages

2.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.38

Avg failures per vehicle

1.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Daimler 3.6 Auto: All 3.6 Auto years → Which year to buy? →

1987 1988

Or browse all models: Daimler →

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Buyer beware — pass it on