Pilgrim Sumo Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Pilgrim Sumo car check
Is the Pilgrim Sumo reliable? We analysed 2,796 real MOT tests across 295 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Pilgrim Sumo? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Pilgrim Sumo is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Pilgrim Sumo.
Pilgrim Sumo Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Pilgrim Sumo. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Pilgrim Sumo MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Pilgrim Sumo to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Pilgrim Sumo Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Pilgrim Sumo fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Pilgrim Sumo Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Pilgrim Sumo owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Pilgrim Sumo MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Pilgrim Sumo year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 79 | 82.3% | 1,809 | 5,802 | 8,408 |
| 2008 | 81 | 88.9% | 2,428 | 4,030 | 8,112 |
| 2007 | 106 | 79.2% | 1,320 | 5,428 | 7,650 |
| 2006 | 79 | 94.9% | 1,004 | 2,570 | 6,853 |
| 2005 | 111 | 83.8% | 3,380 | 5,853 | 11,228 |
| 2004 | 191 | 84.3% | 5,030 | 9,970 | 15,402 |
| 2003 | 197 | 89.3% | 3,365 | 7,647 | 12,543 |
| 2002 | 107 | 86.0% | 3,277 | 8,033 | 12,142 |
| 2001 | 68 | 82.4% | 7,531 | 20,328 | 23,623 |
| 2000 | 99 | 78.8% | 2,203 | 4,670 | 7,993 |
| 1999 | 86 | 83.7% | 3,290 | 7,813 | 12,158 |
| 1998 | 66 | 86.4% | 6,258 | 11,959 | 88,728 |
| 1993 | 60 | 93.3% | 2,450 | 6,342 | 10,214 |
| 1992 | 77 | 85.7% | 346 | 2,959 | 10,049 |
| 1989 | 113 | 87.6% | 4,008 | 7,526 | 12,093 |
| 1986 | 66 | 86.4% | 5,902 | 9,412 | 16,447 |
| 1985 | 88 | 88.6% | 1,804 | 5,677 | 12,046 |
| 1982 | 80 | 82.5% | 1,106 | 4,135 | 11,288 |
| 1981 | 102 | 80.4% | 3,409 | 7,332 | 10,927 |
| 1980 | 58 | 87.9% | 6,241 | 9,008 | 21,335 |
How Long Does a Pilgrim Sumo Last?
Based on 295 Pilgrim Sumo vehicles on UK roads.
Pilgrim Sumo Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Pilgrim Sumo 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 Pilgrim Sumo
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.9% MOT pass rate from 79 tests
73.6% MOT pass rate from 72 tests
The best year to buy a used Pilgrim Sumo is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.9% across 79 tests. The 1978 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Pilgrim Sumo Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilgrim Sumo THIS CAR | 85.0% | 2,796 | 6,738 mi | 55 yrs |
| Pilgrim Cobra | 84.2% | 1,256 | 7,521 mi | 55 yrs |
| Pilgrim Bulldog | 77.6% | 927 | 25,559 mi | 52 yrs |
| Pioneer Xf 125 L-4B Torro | 68.8% | 1,119 | 6,149 mi | 16 yrs |
| Mitsubishi L200 Challenger Di-d | 86.8% | 1,540 | 49,295 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Pilgrim Cobra (84.2% pass rate) and the Pilgrim Bulldog (77.6% pass rate), the Pilgrim Sumo outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Pilgrim Sumo 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 SumoShould you buy a used Pilgrim Sumo?
The Pilgrim Sumo has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.0% across 2,796 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 Sumo are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (38 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (33), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (23). 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 Sumo owner drives around 319 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 Sumo 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.