ARMSTRONG 500

500cc Petrol Class 2

85.3%

first-time pass rate

9.0%

failed outright

16,241

median miles at test

177

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the 500's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 500 passes first time 77.1% of the time; by 20k that's 94.1%.

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 500

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	16	34.8
Other	9	19.6
tyres and wheels	5	10.9
brakes	5	10.9
lamps and reflectors	4	8.7
fuel and exhaust	2	4.3
steering and suspension	2	4.3
drive system	1	2.2
reg plates and vin	1	2.2
audible warning (Horn)	1	2.2

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 500 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 500.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1985 (83.3% pass). Weakest: 1985 (83.3%).

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.