CarVerify

Pilgrim Cobra Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Pilgrim Cobra car check

Is the Pilgrim Cobra reliable? We analysed 1,256 real MOT tests across 107 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Pilgrim Cobra? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 1,256 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
84.2%
Typical Mileage
7,521mi
Annual Mileage
400mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
55yrs

The Pilgrim Cobra is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, headlamp aim too low and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Pilgrim Cobra.

Pilgrim Cobra Number Plates

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

Pilgrim Cobra MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

81.4%
2004
82.1%
2002
78.3%
2001
80.3%
2000
88.7%
1999
86.4%
1992
87.7%
1990
88.5%
1980
81.5%
1979
82.4%
1971

Pilgrim Cobra Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 19
Headlamp aim too low 14
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 13
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 11
fog lamp not working 11
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 10
Horn not working 10
Registration plate lamp not working 9
brake recording little or no effort 9
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 9

Pilgrim Cobra Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
153 mi/yr
Typical
400 mi/yr
Average
1,905 mi/yr
Heavy usage
787 mi/yr

Pilgrim Cobra MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2004 59 81.4% 3,775 6,977 10,164
2002 67 82.1% 6,195 7,293 9,199
2001 138 78.3% 4,182 7,306 11,140
2000 66 80.3% 1,482 7,619 10,464
1999 62 88.7% 10,243 20,376 33,586
1992 59 86.4% 2,296 5,471 6,526
1990 65 87.7% 2,448 3,489 5,564
1980 52 88.5% 9,426 14,654 17,515
1979 54 81.5% 2,785 4,614 10,571
1971 51 82.4% 4,681 12,506 26,401

How Long Does a Pilgrim Cobra Last?

Based on 107 Pilgrim Cobra vehicles on UK roads.

Average
26.6 years
Median
25.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
55 years

Pilgrim Cobra Mileage Distribution

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

Median
7,521 mi
75th Percentile
13,116 mi
95th Percentile
34,249 mi
Max Recorded
181,315 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Pilgrim Cobra

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

Best year
1999

88.7% MOT pass rate from 62 tests

Year to avoid
2001

78.3% MOT pass rate from 138 tests

The best year to buy a used Pilgrim Cobra is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.7% across 62 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Pilgrim Cobra Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Pilgrim Cobra THIS CAR 84.2% 1,256 7,521 mi 55 yrs
Pilgrim Sumo 85% 2,796 6,738 mi 55 yrs
Pilgrim Bulldog 77.6% 927 25,559 mi 52 yrs
Citroen Berlingo M-space Forte D 69.5% 403 140,930 mi — yrs
Volvo S60 R-design B5 MHEV Auto 92.4% 860 29,594 mi — yrs

Compared to the Pilgrim Sumo (85.0% pass rate) and the Pilgrim Bulldog (77.6% pass rate), the Pilgrim Cobra sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

Found a Pilgrim Cobra 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 Pilgrim Cobra

Should you buy a used Pilgrim Cobra?

The Pilgrim Cobra has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.2% across 1,256 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 Cobra are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (19 recorded failures), headlamp aim too low (14), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (13). 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 Cobra owner drives around 400 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 Cobra models stay on UK roads for around 55 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 Cobra — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Pilgrim Cobra reliable?
Based on 1,256 MOT tests, the Pilgrim Cobra has a 84.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Pilgrim Cobra?
The most common MOT failures are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, headlamp aim too low, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Pilgrim Cobra do per year?
The typical Pilgrim Cobra does around 400 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Pilgrim Cobra last?
Most Pilgrim Cobra models stay on UK roads for around 55 years based on our analysis of 107 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Pilgrim 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 Pilgrim Cobra?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Pilgrim Cobra is 1999 with a 88.7% pass rate across 62 tests.