MATCHLESS G3LS

350cc Petrol Class 2

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

92.3%

first-time pass rate

1.8%

failed outright

15,272

median miles at test

1,090

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2012

The G3LS's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (92.6% → 91.8%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the G3LS's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage G3LS passes first time 91.1% of the time; by 50k that's 91.5%.

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 G3LS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	16	34	0.2×
steering and suspension	11	23.4	0.3×
tyres and wheels	5	10.6	0.2×
brakes	5	10.6	0.1×
body and structure	5	10.6	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	3	6.4	0.2×
reg plates and vin	1	2.1	0.2×
drive system	1	2.1	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 G3LS 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 G3LS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1960 (94.9% pass). Weakest: 1958 (86.8%).

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 G3LS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the MATCHLESS G3LS reliable?

The MATCHLESS G3LS is more reliable than average for its class: 92.3% of its 1,090 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #414 of 5426 models.

What does a G3LS fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 34% of all defects recorded against failed G3LS tests.

What is the best year of G3LS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1960-registered examples do best (94.9%) and 1958 worst (86.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a G3LS last?

The median G3LS shows 15,272 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 91.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.