MATCHLESS G80

494cc Petrol Class 2

#468 of 5426 overall #8 of 14 MATCHLESSs #287 of 2787 other bikes

92.0%

first-time pass rate

2.6%

failed outright

10,987

median miles at test

2,093

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2017

The G80's first-time pass rate has risen 1.8 points since 2005, 91.7% to 93.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the G80's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage G80 passes first time 91.6% of the time; by 50k that's 94.4%.

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 G80

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	37	34.9	0.3×
steering and suspension	26	24.5	0.3×
brakes	14	13.2	0.1×
tyres and wheels	13	12.3	0.2×
lamps and reflectors	5	4.7	0.1×
fuel and exhaust	3	2.8	0.2×
suspension	3	2.8	0.2×
body and structure	2	1.9	0.2×
drive system	2	1.9	0.1×
reg plates and vin	1	0.9	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 G80 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests YAMAHA FZ6 85.2% pass · 67.1k 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 G80.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1961 (99.0% pass). Weakest: 1990 (84.6%).

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 G80 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the MATCHLESS G80 reliable?

The MATCHLESS G80 is more reliable than average for its class: 92.0% of its 2,093 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #468 of 5426 models.

What does a G80 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 35% of all defects recorded against failed G80 tests.

What is the best year of G80 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1961-registered examples do best (99.0%) and 1990 worst (84.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a G80 last?

The median G80 shows 10,987 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 94.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.