BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ ARIEL/GOLDEN ARROW
Model report · 2005–2025

ARIEL GOLDEN ARROW

250cc Petrol Class 2
93.7%
first-time pass rate
1.4%
failed outright
22,703
median miles at test
142
MOT tests, 2005–2025

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.

What fails on a GOLDEN ARROW

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
brakes
3 100

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the GOLDEN ARROW beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests Compare head-to-head →
YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 tests Compare head-to-head →

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 GOLDEN ARROW.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the Golden Arrow

More ARIEL models

other ARIEL bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
ARIEL ARROW 93.7% pass · 1,615 tests
ARIEL RED HUNTER 92.2% pass · 1,422 tests
ARIEL LEADER 92.7% pass · 1,135 tests
ARIEL HUNTMASTER 94.1% pass · 631 tests
ARIEL SQUARE FOUR 91.4% pass · 555 tests
ARIEL NH 92.4% pass · 342 tests

See all ARIEL models →

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