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Daimler 5.3 Double Six Auto (1980)

157 real MOT outcomes analysed • 1.8% first-time pass rate

1980 Daimler 5.3 Double Six Auto

CarHunch analysed 157 real MOT records for the 1980 Daimler 5.3 Double Six Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1980 Daimler 5.3 Double Six is a serious collector's car, not a practical buy: only 1.8% pass first time compared to the UK average of 80%, meaning virtually every example needs work before it's MOT-legal. The dangerous defect rate is mercifully low at 0.6%, but the reality is these are elderly luxury machines requiring specialist knowledge.

These 157 vehicles average just 53,841 miles, suggesting most are garaged classics rather than daily drivers, which explains why failures are sparse (0.07 per vehicle) but advisories run high at 1.3 per car—age-related wear rather than heavy use. If you're considering one, budget for a full pre-purchase inspection by a Jaguar-Daimler specialist, as the MOT pattern suggests you'll be funding restoration work regardless of asking price.

Below average reliability 78.2% below UK average
1.8%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
57,026
typical mileage
50,506–57,026 middle half
0.6%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.07
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.2 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1980 Daimler 5.3 Double Six Auto

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Daimler 5.3 Double Six Auto

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1980 Daimler 5.3 Double Six Auto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

50,506
low mileage
57,026
typical
57,026
high mileage

Half of all 1980 Daimler 5.3 Double Six Auto vehicles fall between 50,506 and 57,026 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.2
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.07
Avg failures per vehicle
1.3
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Daimler 5.3 Double Six Auto?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK