AJS 16MS

350cc Petrol Class 2

#657 of 5426 overall #11 of 45 AJSs #401 of 2787 other bikes

91.1%

first-time pass rate

2.5%

failed outright

15,862

median miles at test

1,268

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2012

The 16MS's first-time pass rate has risen 2.3 points since 2005, 88.9% to 91.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 16MS's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 16MS passes first time 89.1% of the time; by 50k that's 92.6%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 16MS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	25	41.7	0.3×
steering and suspension	12	20	0.2×
tyres and wheels	8	13.3	0.3×
brakes	6	10	0.1×
fuel and exhaust	4	6.7	0.3×
drive system	3	5	0.3×
reg plates and vin	1	1.7	0.1×
structure and attachments	1	1.7	0.1×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 16MS beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI AN400, SUZUKI DR-Z400S, YAMAHA RD350).

SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k tests YAMAHA RD350 86.3% pass · 19.6k tests KAWASAKI ZXR400 73.1% pass · 14.2k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the 16MS.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1953 (92.0% pass). Weakest: 1952 (82.8%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

AJS 16MS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the AJS 16MS reliable?

The AJS 16MS is more reliable than average for its class: 91.1% of its 1,268 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #657 of 5426 models.

What does a 16MS fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 42% of all defects recorded against failed 16MS tests.

What is the best year of 16MS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1953-registered examples do best (92.0%) and 1952 worst (82.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 16MS last?

The median 16MS shows 15,862 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 92.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.