Dennis Dart Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Dennis Dart car check
Is the Dennis Dart reliable? We analysed 713 real MOT tests across 111 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Dennis Dart? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Dennis Dart is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include service brake: efficiency below requirements, brakes imbalanced across an axle and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Dennis Dart.
Dennis Dart Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Dennis Dart. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Dennis Dart MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Dennis Dart to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Dennis Dart Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Dennis Dart fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Dennis Dart Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Dennis Dart owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Dennis Dart MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Dennis Dart year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 136 | 77.9% | 38,328 | 68,998 | 144,202 |
| 2001 | 112 | 83.9% | 22,872 | 45,613 | 107,108 |
| 1996 | 62 | 85.5% | 21,010 | 88,887 | 598,812 |
| 1995 | 90 | 81.1% | 119,754 | 380,118 | 433,002 |
| 1993 | 55 | 76.4% | 52,673 | 493,516 | 703,098 |
How Long Does a Dennis Dart Last?
Based on 111 Dennis Dart vehicles on UK roads.
Dennis Dart Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Dennis Dart MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Dennis Dart
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.5% MOT pass rate from 62 tests
76.4% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
The best year to buy a used Dennis Dart is 1996, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.5% across 62 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Dennis Dart Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Dart THIS CAR | 82.0% | 713 | 105,010 mi | 33 yrs |
| Dennis Unknown | 81.4% | 1,061 | 125,160 mi | 25 yrs |
| Dennis Elite | 89.3% | 495 | 140,237 mi | — yrs |
| Kawasaki Br 125 Lmfan | 79.9% | 442 | 6,228 mi | — yrs |
| Huatian Ht 125 T-25 | 71.9% | 462 | 8,429 mi | 19 yrs |
Compared to the Dennis Unknown (81.4% pass rate) and the Dennis Elite (89.3% pass rate), the Dennis Dart sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Dennis Dart you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Dennis DartShould you buy a used Dennis Dart?
The Dennis Dart has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.0% across 713 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 Dennis Dart are service brake: efficiency below requirements (18 recorded failures), brakes imbalanced across an axle (8), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8). 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 Dennis Dart owner drives around 5,757 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 Dennis Dart models stay on UK roads for around 33 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.