ENFIELD 500

499cc Petrol Class 2

#2411 of 5426 overall #6 of 6 ENFIELDs #1507 of 2787 other bikes

85.3%

first-time pass rate

6.9%

failed outright

8,973

median miles at test

1,020

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2024

The 500's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.5 points since 2006, 87.8% to 83.3%.

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 84.2% of the time; by 20k that's 88.1%.

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	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	61	48	0.8×
brakes	15	11.8	0.3×
steering and suspension	11	8.7	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	8	6.3	0.4×
body and structure	7	5.5	0.4×
tyres and wheels	7	5.5	0.3×
reg plates and vin	7	5.5	1.0×
fuel and exhaust	5	3.9	0.6×
Identification of the vehicle	3	2.4	1.3×
drive system	3	2.4	0.4×

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 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: 1995 (92.5% pass). Weakest: 1991 (78.5%).

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.

ENFIELD 500 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the ENFIELD 500 reliable?

The ENFIELD 500 is about average for its class: 85.3% of its 1,020 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2411 of 5426 models.

What does a 500 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 48% of all defects recorded against failed 500 tests.

What is the best year of 500 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1995-registered examples do best (92.5%) and 1991 worst (78.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 500 last?

The median 500 shows 8,973 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 88.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.