MATCHLESS G12

650cc Petrol Class 2

#414 of 5426 overall #6 of 14 MATCHLESSs #256 of 2787 other bikes

92.3%

first-time pass rate

2.7%

failed outright

20,737

median miles at test

1,593

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The G12's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.2 points since 2006, 96.6% to 95.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the G12's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage G12 passes first time 92.5% of the time; by 50k that's 93.2%.

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 G12

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	32	37.2	0.3×
steering and suspension	22	25.6	0.3×
brakes	10	11.6	0.1×
tyres and wheels	9	10.5	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	6	7	0.5×
driving controls	3	3.5	0.8×
body and structure	2	2.3	0.3×
Items Not Tested	1	1.2	0.7×
drive system	1	1.2	0.1×

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 G12 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 HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 G12.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1964 (95.3% pass). Weakest: 1963 (89.5%).

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.

MATCHLESS G12 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the MATCHLESS G12 reliable?

The MATCHLESS G12 is more reliable than average for its class: 92.3% of its 1,593 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #414 of 5426 models.

What does a G12 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 37% of all defects recorded against failed G12 tests.

What is the best year of G12 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1964-registered examples do best (95.3%) and 1963 worst (89.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a G12 last?

The median G12 shows 20,737 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 93.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.