MATCHLESS G5

350cc Petrol Class 2

#1180 of 5426 overall #13 of 14 MATCHLESSs #723 of 2787 other bikes

89.3%

first-time pass rate

3.6%

failed outright

9,700

median miles at test

338

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The G5's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.5 points since 2006, 93.8% to 90.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the G5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage G5 passes first time 88.8% of the time; by 30k that's 87.0%.

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 G5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	7	35
steering and suspension	7	35
brakes	2	10
tyres and wheels	2	10
fuel and exhaust	1	5
tyres	1	5

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 G5 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 G5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1961 (94.1% pass). Weakest: 1960 (87.8%).

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.