CarVerify

Bajaj Chetak Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Bajaj Chetak car check

Is the Bajaj Chetak reliable? We analysed 734 real MOT tests across 127 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 734 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
82.6%
Typical Mileage
6,469mi
Annual Mileage
300mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

The Bajaj Chetak is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, wheel bearings are excessively rough and steering headbearing has excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Bajaj Chetak.

Bajaj Chetak Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Bajaj Chetak. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Bajaj Chetak MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Bajaj Chetak to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

87.7%
1999
82.1%
1998
87.1%
1997
84.4%
1996
85.1%
1995
79%
1994

Bajaj Chetak Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Bajaj Chetak fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 16
wheel bearings are excessively rough 10
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 7
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 7
Direction indicator missing 5
wheel bearings have excessive free play 5
Direction indicator not working 5
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam 4
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 3
Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instruction/s 3

Bajaj Chetak Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Bajaj Chetak owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
60 mi/yr
Typical
300 mi/yr
Average
695 mi/yr
Heavy usage
819 mi/yr

Bajaj Chetak MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Bajaj Chetak year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1999 106 87.7% 2,216 6,984 17,017
1998 156 82.1% 615 3,795 9,531
1997 70 87.1% 5,326 12,290 15,555
1996 90 84.4% 4,413 9,701 14,047
1995 74 85.1% 2,901 10,215 17,279
1994 100 79.0% 745 3,256 30,998

How Long Does a Bajaj Chetak Last?

Based on 127 Bajaj Chetak vehicles on UK roads.

Average
19.1 years
Median
20.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Bajaj Chetak Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Bajaj Chetak MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
6,469 mi
75th Percentile
14,047 mi
95th Percentile
32,964 mi
Max Recorded
67,424 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Bajaj Chetak

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1999

87.7% MOT pass rate from 106 tests

Year to avoid
1994

79.0% MOT pass rate from 100 tests

The best year to buy a used Bajaj Chetak is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.7% across 106 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Bajaj Chetak Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Bajaj Chetak THIS CAR 82.6% 734 6,469 mi 32 yrs
Bajaj Unknown 86.9% 786 2,737 mi 11 yrs
Ktm 890 Duke 21 87.7% 342 4,867 mi — yrs
Italjet Millennium 79% 381 7,121 mi 25 yrs
Renault Master LH35 Business Blue DCI 75.2% 553 60,353 mi — yrs

Compared to the Bajaj Unknown (86.9% pass rate) and the Ktm 890 Duke 21 (87.7% pass rate), the Bajaj Chetak trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Bajaj Chetak?

The Bajaj Chetak has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.6% across 734 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Bajaj Chetak are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (16 recorded failures), wheel bearings are excessively rough (10), and steering headbearing has excessive free play (7). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Bajaj Chetak owner drives around 300 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Bajaj Chetak models stay on UK roads for around 32 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Bajaj Chetak — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bajaj Chetak reliable?
Based on 734 MOT tests, the Bajaj Chetak has a 82.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Bajaj Chetak?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, wheel bearings are excessively rough, and steering headbearing has excessive free play. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Bajaj Chetak do per year?
The typical Bajaj Chetak does around 300 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Bajaj Chetak last?
Most Bajaj Chetak models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 127 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Bajaj Chetak?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Bajaj Chetak?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Bajaj Chetak is 1999 with a 87.7% pass rate across 106 tests.