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.
Pass rate over time
The RED HUNTER's first-time pass rate has risen 2.9 points since 2005, 90.2% to 93.1%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage RED HUNTER passes first time 93.0% of the time; by 50k that's 90.7%.
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 RED HUNTER
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
51 | 54.3 | 0.3× |
| steering and suspension |
|
14 | 14.9 | 0.2× |
| brakes |
|
10 | 10.6 | 0.2× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
9 | 9.6 | 0.2× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
3 | 3.2 | 0.3× |
| drive system |
|
3 | 3.2 | 0.3× |
| body and structure |
|
2 | 2.1 | 0.3× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
1 | 1.1 | 0.1× |
| driving controls |
|
1 | 1.1 | 0.3× |
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 RED HUNTER beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI AN400, SUZUKI DR-Z400S, YAMAHA RD350).
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 RED HUNTER.
Compare with any bike
More ARIEL models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1959 (100.0% pass). Weakest: 1957 (88.2%).
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.
ARIEL RED HUNTER FAQ
Is the ARIEL RED HUNTER reliable?
The ARIEL RED HUNTER is more reliable than average for its class: 92.2% of its 1,422 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #434 of 5428 models.
What does a RED HUNTER fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 54% of all defects recorded against failed RED HUNTER tests.
What is the best year of RED HUNTER to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1959-registered examples do best (100.0%) and 1957 worst (88.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a RED HUNTER last?
The median RED HUNTER shows 8,324 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 90.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
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