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Pilgrim Bulldog Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Pilgrim Bulldog reliable? We analysed 927 real MOT tests across 115 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 927 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
77.6%
Typical Mileage
25,559mi
Annual Mileage
247mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
52yrs

The Pilgrim Bulldog is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake binding, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and stop lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Pilgrim Bulldog.

Pilgrim Bulldog Number Plates

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

Pilgrim Bulldog MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

81.1%
1989
75.4%
1988
75.9%
1980
68.8%
1978
70.1%
1977
81.1%
1976
78.7%
1974

Pilgrim Bulldog Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

brake binding 37
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 24
Stop lamp not working 21
Steering rack gaiter split 20
Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement 18
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 18
parking brake recording little or no effort 18
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 17
brake recording little or no effort 17
position lamp(s) not working 16

Pilgrim Bulldog Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
92 mi/yr
Typical
247 mi/yr
Average
698 mi/yr
Heavy usage
573 mi/yr

Pilgrim Bulldog MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1989 74 81.1% 29,849 38,556 48,105
1988 134 75.4% 25,347 35,938 86,389
1980 54 75.9% 9,285 10,582 36,867
1978 64 68.8% 9,158 12,232 23,294
1977 77 70.1% 10,571 40,644 68,263
1976 53 81.1% 2,144 14,496 62,797
1974 75 78.7% 11,234 22,265 36,782

How Long Does a Pilgrim Bulldog Last?

Based on 115 Pilgrim Bulldog vehicles on UK roads.

Average
32.0 years
Median
32.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
52 years

Pilgrim Bulldog Mileage Distribution

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

Median
25,559 mi
75th Percentile
46,912 mi
95th Percentile
92,125 mi
Max Recorded
488,112 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Pilgrim Bulldog

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

Best year
1976

81.1% MOT pass rate from 53 tests

Year to avoid
1978

68.8% MOT pass rate from 64 tests

The best year to buy a used Pilgrim Bulldog is 1976, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.1% across 53 tests. The 1978 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Pilgrim Bulldog Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Pilgrim Bulldog THIS CAR 77.6% 927 25,559 mi 52 yrs
Pilgrim Sumo 85% 2,796 6,738 mi 55 yrs
Pilgrim Cobra 84.2% 1,256 7,521 mi 55 yrs
Citroen C5 Aircross Shine Ptech S/s A 90.9% 1,185 25,574 mi — yrs
Honda Civic I-dtec S 95% 600 76,482 mi — yrs

Compared to the Pilgrim Sumo (85.0% pass rate) and the Pilgrim Cobra (84.2% pass rate), the Pilgrim Bulldog trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Pilgrim Bulldog?

The Pilgrim Bulldog has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.6% across 927 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 Pilgrim Bulldog are brake binding (37 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (24), and stop lamp not working (21). 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 Pilgrim Bulldog owner drives around 247 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 Pilgrim Bulldog models stay on UK roads for around 52 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.

Pilgrim Bulldog — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Pilgrim Bulldog reliable?
Based on 927 MOT tests, the Pilgrim Bulldog has a 77.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Pilgrim Bulldog?
The most common MOT failures are brake binding, parking brake: efficiency below requirements, and stop lamp not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Pilgrim Bulldog do per year?
The typical Pilgrim Bulldog does around 247 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Pilgrim Bulldog last?
Most Pilgrim Bulldog models stay on UK roads for around 52 years based on our analysis of 115 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Pilgrim Bulldog?
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 Pilgrim Bulldog?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Pilgrim Bulldog is 1976 with a 81.1% pass rate across 53 tests.