Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Daimler V8?

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 1998 Daimler V8?

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 1998 Daimler V8?

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.

How many 1998 Daimler V8 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

29% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1998 Daimler V8 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 212 vehicles, the 1998 Daimler V8 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 Daimler V8?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Daimler V8 are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (67.4% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (62.7% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (53.1% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Daimler V8?

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 V8 (1998)

212 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.3% first-time pass rate

1998 Daimler V8

CarHunch analysed 212 real MOT records for the 1998 Daimler V8. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1998 Daimler V8 trails the UK average with a 75.2% first-time pass rate versus 80%, and nearly three in ten examples have recorded dangerous defects—a significant concern for any prospective buyer. This is an older luxury car with real reliability risks.

These cars are averaging 92,119 miles, which is reasonable for their age, but they're showing their years through an average of 4.18 failures and 23.4 advisories per test—substantially higher than typical. If you're considering one, budget for brake, suspension, and cooling system work, and have a pre-purchase inspection done by a specialist familiar with these complex engines.

We have limited data for the 1998 Daimler V8 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

75.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

29.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.18

Over 16.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

89k

Middle half: 66k–114k

For context

These stats describe 212 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 212 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 67.4%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Suspension & steering 28.3%

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play · Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play · Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Exhaust & emissions 26.1%

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits

Other issues 25.1%

Oil leak · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' · Fuel pipe/s corroded

Brake wear 23.8%

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 212 Daimler V8 cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Daimler V8

Based on MOT data from 212 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 29.3% 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 (100%)	211	75.3%	4.18

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,009 Daimler V8 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 28.9%

581

Green 13.5%

271

Black 13.1%

263

Red 13%

262

Grey 8.8%

176

White 5.5%

111

Silver 5.2%

105

Maroon 3.3%

Gold 2.9%

Beige 2.3%

Cream 2%

Brown 1.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Daimler V8 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.

89,366

typical

66,003

low mileage

114,181

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Daimler V8 vehicles fall between 66,003 and 114,181 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 66,003 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.

✓ 66,003–114,181 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Daimler V8s sit.

⚠ Over 154,144 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Daimler V8 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 35% of 1998 Daimler V8s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 51 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (35% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.18

Avg failures per vehicle

23.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Daimler V8: All V8 years → Which year to buy? →

1999

Or browse all models: Daimler →

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Daimler V8 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing