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Tata Tl Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Tata Tl car check

Is the Tata Tl reliable? We analysed 3,289 real MOT tests across 300 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,289 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
65.2%
Typical Mileage
38,850mi
Annual Mileage
4,037mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
23yrs

The Tata Tl is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, steering pivot point has excessive play and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Tata Tl.

Tata Tl Number Plates

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

Tata Tl MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

66.7%
2007
66.9%
2006
65.8%
2005
64.3%
2004
63.5%
2003

Tata Tl Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Brake pipe excessively corroded 269
Steering pivot point has excessive play 218
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 210
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 177
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 169
Registration plate lamp not working 148
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 142
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 124
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel 122
parking brake recording little or no effort 117

Tata Tl Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
2,011 mi/yr
Typical
4,037 mi/yr
Average
5,000 mi/yr
Heavy usage
6,888 mi/yr

Tata Tl MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2007 189 66.7% 18,520 29,382 52,156
2006 499 66.9% 21,971 34,422 52,687
2005 789 65.8% 28,257 41,716 59,576
2004 1,514 64.3% 25,805 40,111 59,974
2003 271 63.5% 28,735 39,808 55,968

How Long Does a Tata Tl Last?

Based on 300 Tata Tl vehicles on UK roads.

Average
9.8 years
Median
9.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
23 years

Tata Tl Mileage Distribution

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

Median
38,850 mi
75th Percentile
57,498 mi
95th Percentile
93,296 mi
Max Recorded
722,234 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Tata Tl

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

Best year
2006

66.9% MOT pass rate from 499 tests

Year to avoid
2003

63.5% MOT pass rate from 271 tests

The best year to buy a used Tata Tl is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 66.9% across 499 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Tata Tl Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Tata Tl THIS CAR 65.2% 3,289 38,850 mi 23 yrs
Tata Loadbeta 62.6% 12,316 49,835 mi 31 yrs
Tata Safari 60.9% 7,199 52,940 mi 26 yrs
Tata Gurkha 61% 913 57,865 mi 30 yrs
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Hse D Auto 88.4% 3,076 29,771 mi — yrs

Compared to the Tata Loadbeta (62.6% pass rate) and the Tata Safari (60.9% pass rate), the Tata Tl outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Tata Tl?

The Tata Tl has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.2% across 3,289 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Tata Tl are brake pipe excessively corroded (269 recorded failures), steering pivot point has excessive play (218), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (210). 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 Tl owner drives around 4,037 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 Tl models stay on UK roads for around 23 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.

Tata Tl — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tata Tl reliable?
Based on 3,289 MOT tests, the Tata Tl has a 65.2% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Tata Tl?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, steering pivot point has excessive play, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Tata Tl do per year?
The typical Tata Tl does around 4,037 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Tata Tl last?
Most Tata Tl models stay on UK roads for around 23 years based on our analysis of 300 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Tata Tl?
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 Tata Tl?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Tata Tl is 2006 with a 66.9% pass rate across 499 tests.