Tata Gurkha Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Tata Gurkha car check
Is the Tata Gurkha reliable? We analysed 913 real MOT tests across 256 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Tata Gurkha? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Tata Gurkha is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and track rod end ball joint has excessive play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Tata Gurkha.
Tata Gurkha Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Tata Gurkha. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Tata Gurkha MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Tata Gurkha to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Tata Gurkha Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Tata Gurkha fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Tata Gurkha Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Tata Gurkha owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Tata Gurkha MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Tata Gurkha year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 277 | 59.6% | 37,383 | 54,031 | 67,460 |
| 1998 | 288 | 64.6% | 43,306 | 56,086 | 72,535 |
| 1997 | 209 | 63.2% | 44,373 | 59,658 | 72,714 |
| 1996 | 83 | 49.4% | 53,712 | 63,705 | 79,114 |
How Long Does a Tata Gurkha Last?
Based on 256 Tata Gurkha vehicles on UK roads.
Tata Gurkha Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Tata Gurkha 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 Tata Gurkha
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
64.6% MOT pass rate from 288 tests
49.4% MOT pass rate from 83 tests
The best year to buy a used Tata Gurkha is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 64.6% across 288 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 49.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Tata Gurkha Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Gurkha THIS CAR | 61.0% | 913 | 57,865 mi | 30 yrs |
| Tata Loadbeta | 62.6% | 12,316 | 49,835 mi | 31 yrs |
| Tata Safari | 60.9% | 7,199 | 52,940 mi | 26 yrs |
| Tata Tl | 65.2% | 3,289 | 38,850 mi | 23 yrs |
| Porsche 911 Carrera 2S S-a | 91.5% | 1,689 | 42,145 mi | 18 yrs |
Compared to the Tata Loadbeta (62.6% pass rate) and the Tata Safari (60.9% pass rate), the Tata Gurkha sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Tata Gurkha 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 Tata GurkhaShould you buy a used Tata Gurkha?
The Tata Gurkha has an overall MOT pass rate of 61.0% across 913 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Tata Gurkha are brake pipe excessively corroded (136 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (62), and track rod end ball joint has excessive play (57). 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 Tata Gurkha owner drives around 3,195 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 Tata Gurkha models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.