The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The DIGITA's first-time pass rate has risen 5.6 points since 2017, 70.7% to 76.3%.
What fails on a DIGITA
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
168 | 37.2 | 6.7× |
| steering |
|
69 | 15.3 | 14.5× |
| brakes |
|
66 | 14.6 | 1.2× |
| tyres |
|
39 | 8.6 | 5.1× |
| suspension |
|
33 | 7.3 | 4.2× |
| structure and attachments |
|
32 | 7.1 | 3.4× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
18 | 4 | 10.0× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
15 | 3.3 | 0.2× |
| steering and suspension |
|
8 | 1.8 | 0.2× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
4 | 0.9 | 1.3× |
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
On first-time pass rate the DIGITA beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT, PIAGGIO ZIP, PIAGGIO NRG).
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 DIGITA.
Compare with any bike
More AJS models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2013 (82.8% pass). Weakest: 2020 (63.2%).
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 DIGITA FAQ
Is the AJS DIGITA reliable?
The AJS DIGITA is about average for its class: 73.7% of its 980 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4432 of 5428 models.
What does a DIGITA fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors — 37% of all defects recorded against failed DIGITA tests.
What is the best year of DIGITA to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (82.8%) and 2020 worst (63.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.
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