Dodge Dakota Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Dodge Dakota car check
Is the Dodge Dakota reliable? We analysed 1,551 real MOT tests across 159 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Dodge Dakota? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Dodge Dakota is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include fog lamp not working, brake pipe excessively corroded and direction indicator incorrect colour. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Dodge Dakota.
Dodge Dakota Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Dodge Dakota. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Dodge Dakota MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Dodge Dakota to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Dodge Dakota Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Dodge Dakota fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Dodge Dakota Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Dodge Dakota owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Dodge Dakota MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Dodge Dakota year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 65 | 69.2% | 30,532 | 42,748 | 63,648 |
| 2005 | 63 | 76.2% | 59,310 | 94,222 | 123,208 |
| 2004 | 110 | 80.0% | 27,600 | 55,252 | 92,221 |
| 2003 | 81 | 58.0% | 44,290 | 63,049 | 92,833 |
| 2002 | 141 | 75.2% | 60,511 | 91,059 | 113,576 |
| 2001 | 155 | 75.5% | 41,292 | 77,674 | 106,909 |
| 2000 | 232 | 72.8% | 68,376 | 103,034 | 146,793 |
| 1999 | 118 | 76.3% | 57,979 | 95,056 | 139,473 |
| 1998 | 154 | 78.6% | 61,922 | 91,970 | 111,556 |
| 1997 | 172 | 73.3% | 66,693 | 88,469 | 115,080 |
How Long Does a Dodge Dakota Last?
Based on 159 Dodge Dakota vehicles on UK roads.
Dodge Dakota Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Dodge Dakota 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 Dodge Dakota
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.0% MOT pass rate from 110 tests
58.0% MOT pass rate from 81 tests
The best year to buy a used Dodge Dakota is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.0% across 110 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 58.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Dodge Dakota Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Dakota THIS CAR | 74.4% | 1,551 | 84,866 mi | 29 yrs |
| Dodge Caliber | 66.6% | 69,277 | 63,872 mi | 20 yrs |
| Dodge Nitro | 70% | 31,689 | 69,599 mi | 19 yrs |
| Dodge Ram | 80.3% | 27,651 | 82,712 mi | 41 yrs |
| Kawasaki Zr 800 Ads | 86.9% | 1,815 | 10,646 mi | 13 yrs |
Compared to the Dodge Caliber (66.6% pass rate) and the Dodge Nitro (70.0% pass rate), the Dodge Dakota outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Dodge Dakota 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 Dodge DakotaShould you buy a used Dodge Dakota?
The Dodge Dakota has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.4% across 1,551 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Dodge Dakota are fog lamp not working (49 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (46), and direction indicator incorrect colour (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 Dodge Dakota owner drives around 2,387 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 Dodge Dakota models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.