MATCHLESS G2

250cc Petrol Class 2

#1243 of 5426 overall #14 of 14 MATCHLESSs #756 of 2787 other bikes

89.1%

first-time pass rate

5.2%

failed outright

12,758

median miles at test

441

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2014

The G2's first-time pass rate has risen 11.8 points since 2006, 85.4% to 97.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the G2's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage G2 passes first time 87.8% of the time; by 20k that's 91.4%.

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 G2

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
steering and suspension	20	30.3
lighting and signalling	18	27.3
brakes	15	22.7
tyres and wheels	7	10.6
body and structure	4	6.1
fuel and exhaust	2	3

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the G2 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 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 G2.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1965 (90.4% pass). Weakest: 1960 (84.7%).

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.