MATCHLESS G3L

350cc Petrol Class 2

#278 of 5426 overall #3 of 14 MATCHLESSs #175 of 2787 other bikes

93.1%

first-time pass rate

2.9%

failed outright

8,490

median miles at test

955

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2012

The G3L's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.3 points since 2005, 93.3% to 92.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the G3L's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage G3L passes first time 94.1% of the time; by 30k that's 92.1%.

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 G3L

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	28	48.3	0.3×
steering and suspension	11	19	0.3×
brakes	10	17.2	0.2×
tyres and wheels	5	8.6	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	2	3.4	0.3×
reg plates and vin	2	3.4	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the G3L 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 G3L.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1955 (96.1% pass). Weakest: 1941 (92.9%).

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 G3L FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the MATCHLESS G3L reliable?

The MATCHLESS G3L is more reliable than average for its class: 93.1% of its 955 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #278 of 5426 models.

What does a G3L fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 48% of all defects recorded against failed G3L tests.

What is the best year of G3L to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1955-registered examples do best (96.1%) and 1941 worst (92.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a G3L last?

The median G3L shows 8,490 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 92.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.