diff --git a/dbus/dbuspassive.cpp b/dbus/dbuspassive.cpp
index 1d88b60..8e37d8e 100644
--- a/dbus/dbuspassive.cpp
+++ b/dbus/dbuspassive.cpp
@@ -248,6 +248,31 @@
     return false;
 }
 
+std::string DbusPassive::getFailReason(void) const
+{
+    if (_badReading)
+    {
+        return "Sensor reading bad";
+    }
+    if (_marginHot)
+    {
+        return "Margin hot";
+    }
+    if (_failed)
+    {
+        return "Sensor threshold asserted";
+    }
+    if (!_available)
+    {
+        return "Sensor unavailable";
+    }
+    if (!_functional)
+    {
+        return "Sensor not functional";
+    }
+    return "Unknown";
+}
+
 void DbusPassive::setFailed(bool value)
 {
     _failed = value;
diff --git a/dbus/dbuspassive.hpp b/dbus/dbuspassive.hpp
index 3813622..156be13 100644
--- a/dbus/dbuspassive.hpp
+++ b/dbus/dbuspassive.hpp
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@
 
     ReadReturn read(void) override;
     bool getFailed(void) const override;
+    std::string getFailReason(void) const override;
 
     void updateValue(double value, bool force);
     void setValue(double value, double unscaled);