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Dax Cobra Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Dax Cobra car check

Is the Dax Cobra reliable? We analysed 2,629 real MOT tests across 236 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,629 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
85.9%
Typical Mileage
8,300mi
Annual Mileage
299mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
58yrs

The Dax Cobra is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and parking brake recording little or no effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Dax Cobra.

Dax Cobra Number Plates

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

Dax Cobra MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

88%
2009
82.8%
2008
94.8%
2007
82.6%
2006
80.9%
2005
86.1%
2004
86.4%
2003
94.5%
2002
79.5%
1998
83.3%
1997
83.3%
1992
86.3%
1988
93.5%
1982
87.6%
1979
83.7%
1978
80.3%
1977
91.9%
1976
93.8%
1975
86%
1974
83.1%
1971

Dax Cobra Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 38
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 35
parking brake recording little or no effort 34
brake binding 30
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 21
Stop lamp not working 18
Headlamp aim too high 18
Steering rack gaiter split 17
Headlamp not working on main beam 16
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 16

Dax Cobra Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
101 mi/yr
Typical
299 mi/yr
Average
1,019 mi/yr
Heavy usage
747 mi/yr

Dax Cobra MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2009 92 88.0% 2,089 5,180 9,558
2008 145 82.8% 1,840 6,636 10,149
2007 96 94.8% 3,509 6,052 9,864
2006 115 82.6% 2,001 4,518 7,043
2005 178 80.9% 2,675 6,111 8,584
2004 72 86.1% 3,558 7,027 11,988
2003 88 86.4% 8,425 12,910 17,779
2002 109 94.5% 11,224 21,743 31,562
1998 78 79.5% 10,812 15,446 20,182
1997 78 83.3% 5,069 9,239 16,861
1992 72 83.3% 11,717 17,380 26,626
1988 51 86.3% 6,094 11,598 27,974
1982 62 93.5% 4,287 9,440 18,878
1979 177 87.6% 3,804 10,690 15,417
1978 86 83.7% 6,434 11,192 13,828
1977 66 80.3% 1,248 9,041 14,378
1976 62 91.9% 3,462 10,193 19,732
1975 64 93.8% 8,520 11,846 14,621
1974 50 86.0% 8,475 10,191 14,308
1971 71 83.1% 2,376 9,643 14,231

How Long Does a Dax Cobra Last?

Based on 236 Dax Cobra vehicles on UK roads.

Average
29.3 years
Median
28.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
58 years

Dax Cobra Mileage Distribution

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

Median
8,300 mi
75th Percentile
14,238 mi
95th Percentile
28,543 mi
Max Recorded
224,632 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Dax Cobra

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

Best year
2007

94.8% MOT pass rate from 96 tests

Year to avoid
1998

79.5% MOT pass rate from 78 tests

The best year to buy a used Dax Cobra is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.8% across 96 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Dax Cobra Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Dax Cobra THIS CAR 85.9% 2,629 8,300 mi 58 yrs
Dax Rush 88.5% 2,232 6,114 mi 39 yrs
Mercedes-benz AMG Cla 45 S 4MATIC+ Plus Auto 86.1% 1,663 28,242 mi — yrs
Ktm 125 Exc 74.4% 2,477 3,078 mi 27 yrs
Toyota Avensis Active D-4D 92.2% 996 85,694 mi — yrs

Compared to the Dax Rush (88.5% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz AMG Cla 45 S 4MATIC+ Plus Auto (86.1% pass rate), the Dax Cobra trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Dax Cobra?

The Dax Cobra has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.9% across 2,629 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 Dax Cobra are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (38 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (35), and parking brake recording little or no effort (34). 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 Dax Cobra owner drives around 299 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 Dax Cobra models stay on UK roads for around 58 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.

Dax Cobra — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Dax Cobra reliable?
Based on 2,629 MOT tests, the Dax Cobra has a 85.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Dax Cobra?
The most common MOT failures are parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, and parking brake recording little or no effort. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Dax Cobra do per year?
The typical Dax Cobra does around 299 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Dax Cobra last?
Most Dax Cobra models stay on UK roads for around 58 years based on our analysis of 236 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Dax Cobra?
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 Dax Cobra?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Dax Cobra is 2007 with a 94.8% pass rate across 96 tests.