MORINI 3.5

344cc Petrol Class 2

#2089 of 5426 overall #1 of 2 MORINIs #1277 of 2787 other bikes

86.4%

first-time pass rate

5.6%

failed outright

30,387

median miles at test

1,571

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2021

The 3.5's first-time pass rate has risen 1.4 points since 2006, 92.1% to 93.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 3.5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 3.5 passes first time 88.0% of the time; by 50k that's 86.5%.

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 3.5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	90	40.9	0.8×
steering and suspension	41	18.6	0.7×
brakes	36	16.4	0.4×
tyres and wheels	17	7.7	0.4×
drive system	9	4.1	0.5×
fuel and exhaust	8	3.6	0.6×
body and structure	7	3.2	0.8×
driving controls	5	2.3	1.4×
reg plates and vin	4	1.8	0.3×
tyres	3	1.4	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 3.5 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 3.5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1979 (90.3% pass). Weakest: 1981 (78.3%).

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.

MORINI 3.5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the MORINI 3.5 reliable?

The MORINI 3.5 is about average for its class: 86.4% of its 1,571 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2089 of 5426 models.

What does a 3.5 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 41% of all defects recorded against failed 3.5 tests.

What is the best year of 3.5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1979-registered examples do best (90.3%) and 1981 worst (78.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 3.5 last?

The median 3.5 shows 30,387 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 86.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.