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.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The BULLET's first-time pass rate has risen 4.7 points since 2006, 86.7% to 91.4%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage BULLET passes first time 88.0% of the time; by 30k that's 95.2%.
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 BULLET
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
41 | 33.3 | 0.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
21 | 17.1 | 0.6× |
| brakes |
|
13 | 10.6 | 0.2× |
| steering and suspension |
|
12 | 9.8 | 0.3× |
| drive system |
|
8 | 6.5 | 0.5× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
8 | 6.5 | 0.9× |
| body and structure |
|
6 | 4.9 | 0.5× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
5 | 4.1 | 0.2× |
| tyres |
|
5 | 4.1 | 0.4× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
4 | 3.3 | 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
On first-time pass rate the BULLET 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 BULLET.
Compare with any bike
More ENFIELD models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1996 (93.0% pass). Weakest: 1999 (69.6%).
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 BULLET FAQ
Is the ENFIELD BULLET reliable?
The ENFIELD BULLET is more reliable than average for its class: 88.8% of its 1,335 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1332 of 5428 models.
What does a BULLET fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 33% of all defects recorded against failed BULLET tests.
What is the best year of BULLET to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1996-registered examples do best (93.0%) and 1999 worst (69.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a BULLET last?
The median BULLET shows 7,051 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 95.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
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