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Gmc Sierra Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Gmc Sierra car check

Is the Gmc Sierra reliable? We analysed 889 real MOT tests across 130 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 889 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
81.1%
Typical Mileage
79,510mi
Annual Mileage
2,273mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

The Gmc Sierra is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include fog lamp not working, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and parking brake recording little or no effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Gmc Sierra.

Gmc Sierra Number Plates

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

Gmc Sierra MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

87.1%
2004
87.9%
2003
81%
2001
85.9%
2000
84.4%
1994

Gmc Sierra Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

fog lamp not working 20
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 11
parking brake recording little or no effort 9
Side repeater missing 9
position lamp(s) incorrect colour 8
Headlamp aim too low 8
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 8
fog lamp missing 8
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 7

Gmc Sierra Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
900 mi/yr
Typical
2,273 mi/yr
Average
3,856 mi/yr
Heavy usage
4,999 mi/yr

Gmc Sierra MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2004 70 87.1% 45,585 60,161 93,944
2003 58 87.9% 60,942 74,740 79,554
2001 63 81.0% 33,171 93,007 115,530
2000 92 85.9% 90,846 125,556 156,847
1994 64 84.4% 56,812 74,768 89,084

How Long Does a Gmc Sierra Last?

Based on 130 Gmc Sierra vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.9 years
Median
11.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Gmc Sierra Mileage Distribution

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

Median
79,510 mi
75th Percentile
127,884 mi
95th Percentile
214,387 mi
Max Recorded
770,352 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Gmc Sierra

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

Best year
2003

87.9% MOT pass rate from 58 tests

Year to avoid
2001

81.0% MOT pass rate from 63 tests

The best year to buy a used Gmc Sierra is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.9% across 58 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Gmc Sierra Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Gmc Sierra THIS CAR 81.1% 889 79,510 mi 32 yrs
Jaguar E-pace Rdynam Hse D MHEV AWD A 93% 724 27,003 mi — yrs
Suzuki Gz 78.7% 745 8,393 mi 20 yrs
Yamaha Yzf R6 R 07 83.1% 1,397 10,385 mi 19 yrs
Audi Q3 Technik 35 TFSI 89.4% 1,572 28,132 mi — yrs

Compared to the Jaguar E-pace Rdynam Hse D MHEV AWD A (93.0% pass rate) and the Suzuki Gz (78.7% pass rate), the Gmc Sierra sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Gmc Sierra?

The Gmc Sierra has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.1% across 889 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 Gmc Sierra are fog lamp not working (20 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (11), and parking brake recording little or no effort (9). 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 Gmc Sierra owner drives around 2,273 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 Gmc Sierra 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.

Gmc Sierra — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Gmc Sierra reliable?
Based on 889 MOT tests, the Gmc Sierra has a 81.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Gmc Sierra?
The most common MOT failures are fog lamp not working, parking brake: efficiency below requirements, and parking brake recording little or no effort. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Gmc Sierra do per year?
The typical Gmc Sierra does around 2,273 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Gmc Sierra last?
Most Gmc Sierra models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 130 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Gmc Sierra?
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 Gmc Sierra?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Gmc Sierra is 2003 with a 87.9% pass rate across 58 tests.