KYMCO PULSAR

124cc Petrol Class 1

#5019 of 5426 overall #37 of 44 KYMCOs #352 of 412 scooter bikes

64.9%

first-time pass rate

23.1%

failed outright

11,411

median miles at test

2,454

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The PULSAR's first-time pass rate has fallen 13.6 points since 2006, 71.4% to 57.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the PULSAR's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage PULSAR passes first time 71.7% of the time; by 40k that's 64.0%.

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 PULSAR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	501	28.9	2.5×
brakes	220	12.7	1.6×
steering and suspension	214	12.4	2.1×
lamps and reflectors	205	11.8	2.9×
drive system	193	11.1	7.5×
structure and attachments	157	9.1	5.5×
tyres and wheels	95	5.5	1.6×
suspension	52	3	2.6×
body and structure	48	2.8	3.1×
steering	47	2.7	3.8×

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 PULSAR beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (PIAGGIO VESPA, HONDA PCX 125, HONDA Vision 110).

PIAGGIO VESPA 80.7% pass · 287k tests HONDA PCX 125 81.1% pass · 88.6k tests HONDA Vision 110 78.2% pass · 50.6k tests YAMAHA NMAX 125 82.2% pass · 33.8k 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 PULSAR.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (70.1% pass). Weakest: 2011 (58.2%).

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.

KYMCO PULSAR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KYMCO PULSAR reliable?

The KYMCO PULSAR is less reliable than average for its class: 64.9% of its 2,454 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5019 of 5426 models.

What does a PULSAR fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 29% of all defects recorded against failed PULSAR tests.

What is the best year of PULSAR to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (70.1%) and 2011 worst (58.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a PULSAR last?

The median PULSAR shows 11,411 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 64.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.