MATCHLESS G3

350cc Petrol Class 2

#343 of 5426 overall #4 of 14 MATCHLESSs #211 of 2787 other bikes

92.7%

first-time pass rate

1.8%

failed outright

18,738

median miles at test

1,459

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The G3's first-time pass rate has risen 7.9 points since 2006, 90.2% to 98.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the G3's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage G3 passes first time 90.9% of the time; by 50k that's 93.1%.

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 G3

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
steering and suspension	23	38.3	0.3×
lighting and signalling	20	33.3	0.2×
brakes	8	13.3	0.1×
tyres and wheels	3	5	0.1×
fuel and exhaust	2	3.3	0.2×
drive system	2	3.3	0.1×
reg plates and vin	1	1.7	0.1×
Items Not Tested	1	1.7	0.7×

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 G3 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI AN400, SUZUKI DR-Z400S, YAMAHA RD350).

SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k tests YAMAHA RD350 86.3% pass · 19.6k tests KAWASAKI ZXR400 73.1% pass · 14.2k 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 G3.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1962 (96.3% pass). Weakest: 1963 (89.9%).

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 G3 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the MATCHLESS G3 reliable?

The MATCHLESS G3 is more reliable than average for its class: 92.7% of its 1,459 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #343 of 5426 models.

What does a G3 fail its MOT on most?

steering and suspension — 38% of all defects recorded against failed G3 tests.

What is the best year of G3 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1962-registered examples do best (96.3%) and 1963 worst (89.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a G3 last?

The median G3 shows 18,738 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 93.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.