1988 Daimler Sovereign MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Sovereign models manufactured in 1988, based on 31 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1988 Daimler Sovereign MOT Analysis
The 1988 Daimler Sovereign has an MOT pass rate of 80.6% based on 31 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 73,077 miles on the odometer. With a 19.4% failure rate, the 1988 Sovereign is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1988 Daimler Sovereign is Brakes, responsible for 3.2% of failures. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs range from £150–400. Steering is the second most common issue at 3.2%.
Top failures specific to 1988 models only. The overall Sovereign page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 73,077 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.44 | 3.2% | 1 |
| Steering | 0.44 | 3.2% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1988 Daimler Sovereign has an MOT pass rate of 80.6% based on 31 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 73,077 miles on the odometer. With a 19.4% failure rate, the 1988 Sovereign is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1988 Daimler Sovereign, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to brakes: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm). At 73,077 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Brakes — 3.2% of failures
Brakes issues account for 3.2% of MOT failures on 1988 Daimler Sovereign models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Steering — 3.2% of failures
Steering issues account for 3.2% of MOT failures on 1988 Daimler Sovereign models. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.