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Puch Unknown Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Puch Unknown car check

Is the Puch Unknown reliable? We analysed 645 real MOT tests across 445 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 645 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
89.6%
Typical Mileage
4,798mi
Annual Mileage
137mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
47yrs

The Puch Unknown is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure, roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. and tyre is incorrectly seated on the wheel rim. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Puch Unknown.

Puch Unknown Number Plates

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

Puch Unknown MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

83.9%
1981
87.3%
1980
83.6%
1979

Puch Unknown Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Tyre has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 4
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. 4
Tyre is incorrectly seated on the wheel rim 4
wheel bearings have excessive free play 4
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 3
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 3
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 3
Roller brake test Neither brake control achieves an efficiency of 25% 2
Headlamp aim too low 2
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam 2

Puch Unknown Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
32 mi/yr
Typical
137 mi/yr
Average
2,508 mi/yr
Heavy usage
614 mi/yr

Puch Unknown MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1981 56 83.9% 1,672 2,580 6,061
1980 71 87.3% 2,099 4,253 6,804
1979 61 83.6% 1,901 4,526 7,782

How Long Does a Puch Unknown Last?

Based on 445 Puch Unknown vehicles on UK roads.

Average
41.2 years
Median
41.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
47 years

Puch Unknown Mileage Distribution

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

Median
4,798 mi
75th Percentile
8,032 mi
95th Percentile
35,968 mi
Max Recorded
119,686 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Puch Unknown

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

Best year
1980

87.3% MOT pass rate from 71 tests

Year to avoid
1979

83.6% MOT pass rate from 61 tests

The best year to buy a used Puch Unknown is 1980, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.3% across 71 tests. The 1979 model year has the lowest pass rate at 83.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Puch Unknown Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Puch Unknown THIS CAR 89.6% 645 4,798 mi 47 yrs
Puch Maxi 86.9% 2,756 4,540 mi 56 yrs
Audi A4 SE 120 TDI 79.6% 496 144,964 mi — yrs
Ktm 300 Exc Tpi 20 84.7% 372 2,021 mi — yrs
BMW X2 SDRIVE18D M Sport X Auto 86.1% 625 44,582 mi — yrs

Compared to the Puch Maxi (86.9% pass rate) and the Audi A4 SE 120 TDI (79.6% pass rate), the Puch Unknown outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Puch Unknown?

The Puch Unknown has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.6% across 645 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 Puch Unknown are tyre has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4 recorded failures), roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. (4), and tyre is incorrectly seated on the wheel rim (4). 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 Puch Unknown owner drives around 137 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 Puch Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 47 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.

Puch Unknown — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Puch Unknown reliable?
Based on 645 MOT tests, the Puch Unknown has a 89.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Puch Unknown?
The most common MOT failures are tyre has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure, roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%., and tyre is incorrectly seated on the wheel rim. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Puch Unknown do per year?
The typical Puch Unknown does around 137 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Puch Unknown last?
Most Puch Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 47 years based on our analysis of 445 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Puch Unknown?
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 Puch Unknown?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Puch Unknown is 1980 with a 87.3% pass rate across 71 tests.