ARMSTRONG MT500

500cc Petrol Class 2

#2264 of 5426 overall #1 of 1 ARMSTRONGs #1406 of 2787 other bikes

85.8%

first-time pass rate

6.2%

failed outright

18,751

median miles at test

2,225

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The MT500's first-time pass rate has risen 1.8 points since 2005, 89.6% to 91.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the MT500's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage MT500 passes first time 85.8% of the time; by 50k that's 90.9%.

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 MT500

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	141	42.2	0.8×
tyres and wheels	43	12.9	0.7×
steering and suspension	39	11.7	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	31	9.3	0.5×
brakes	30	9	0.2×
drive system	15	4.5	0.9×
reg plates and vin	13	3.9	0.9×
fuel and exhaust	11	3.3	0.5×
suspension	6	1.8	0.2×
structure and attachments	5	1.5	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the MT500 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 MT500.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1997 (89.3% pass). Weakest: 1985 (85.0%).

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.

ARMSTRONG MT500 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the ARMSTRONG MT500 reliable?

The ARMSTRONG MT500 is about average for its class: 85.8% of its 2,225 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2264 of 5426 models.

What does a MT500 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 42% of all defects recorded against failed MT500 tests.

What is the best year of MT500 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1997-registered examples do best (89.3%) and 1986 worst (85.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a MT500 last?

The median MT500 shows 18,751 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 90.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.