Tata Safari Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Tata Safari car check
Is the Tata Safari reliable? We analysed 7,199 real MOT tests across 891 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Tata Safari? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Tata Safari is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, steering pivot point has excessive play and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Tata Safari.
Tata Safari Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Tata Safari. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Tata Safari MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Tata Safari to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Tata Safari Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Tata Safari fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Tata Safari Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Tata Safari owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Tata Safari MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Tata Safari year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 144 | 65.3% | 23,502 | 37,018 | 50,815 |
| 2005 | 975 | 63.2% | 31,646 | 45,640 | 62,842 |
| 2004 | 1,465 | 60.3% | 32,582 | 45,799 | 61,430 |
| 2003 | 566 | 60.4% | 34,291 | 52,189 | 72,128 |
| 2002 | 785 | 61.7% | 41,316 | 55,607 | 70,414 |
| 2001 | 1,896 | 59.8% | 40,336 | 55,986 | 73,823 |
| 2000 | 1,264 | 60.4% | 48,218 | 62,670 | 80,516 |
How Long Does a Tata Safari Last?
Based on 891 Tata Safari vehicles on UK roads.
Tata Safari Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Tata Safari 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 Safari
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
65.3% MOT pass rate from 144 tests
59.8% MOT pass rate from 1,896 tests
The best year to buy a used Tata Safari is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 65.3% across 144 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Tata Safari Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Safari THIS CAR | 60.9% | 7,199 | 52,940 mi | 26 yrs |
| Tata Loadbeta | 62.6% | 12,316 | 49,835 mi | 31 yrs |
| Tata Tl | 65.2% | 3,289 | 38,850 mi | 23 yrs |
| Tata Gurkha | 61% | 913 | 57,865 mi | 30 yrs |
| BMW 8 Series | 85.7% | 10,078 | 33,214 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Tata Loadbeta (62.6% pass rate) and the Tata Tl (65.2% pass rate), the Tata Safari trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Tata Safari 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 SafariShould you buy a used Tata Safari?
The Tata Safari has an overall MOT pass rate of 60.9% across 7,199 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Tata Safari are brake pipe excessively corroded (769 recorded failures), steering pivot point has excessive play (604), and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (488). 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 Safari owner drives around 5,427 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 Safari models stay on UK roads for around 26 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.