MATCHLESS G9

500cc Petrol Class 2

#959 of 5426 overall #11 of 14 MATCHLESSs #589 of 2787 other bikes

90.0%

first-time pass rate

2.3%

failed outright

17,650

median miles at test

812

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The G9's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.4 points since 2006, 91.3% to 85.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the G9's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage G9 passes first time 89.2% of the time; by 50k that's 88.2%.

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 G9

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
steering and suspension	11	33.3	0.3×
lighting and signalling	6	18.2	0.2×
tyres and wheels	6	18.2	0.3×
body and structure	2	6.1	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	2	6.1	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	2	6.1	0.1×
driving controls	1	3	0.5×
drive system	1	3	0.2×
suspension	1	3	0.2×
tyres	1	3	0.2×

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 G9 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 SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 G9.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1955 (94.4% pass). Weakest: 1954 (86.9%).

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 G9 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the MATCHLESS G9 reliable?

The MATCHLESS G9 is more reliable than average for its class: 90.0% of its 812 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #959 of 5426 models.

What does a G9 fail its MOT on most?

steering and suspension — 33% of all defects recorded against failed G9 tests.

What is the best year of G9 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1955-registered examples do best (94.4%) and 1954 worst (86.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a G9 last?

The median G9 shows 17,650 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 88.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.