MOTO GUZZI CALIFORNIA III

949cc Petrol Class 2

#2909 of 5426 overall #63 of 69 MOTO GUZZIs #1836 of 2787 other bikes

83.2%

first-time pass rate

9.7%

failed outright

32,953

median miles at test

1,460

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The CALIFORNIA III's first-time pass rate has risen 6.8 points since 2006, 82.1% to 88.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage CALIFORNIA III passes first time 87.9% of the time; by 50k that's 81.3%.

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 CALIFORNIA III

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	78	29.4	0.9×
brakes	64	24.2	0.8×
steering and suspension	52	19.6	0.9×
tyres and wheels	26	9.8	0.9×
lamps and reflectors	16	6	0.6×
body and structure	10	3.8	1.4×
tyres	6	2.3	0.5×
suspension	5	1.9	0.5×
reg plates and vin	4	1.5	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	4	1.5	0.4×

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 CALIFORNIA III beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 CALIFORNIA III.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1988 (91.1% pass). Weakest: 1992 (73.5%).

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.

MOTO GUZZI CALIFORNIA III FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the MOTO GUZZI CALIFORNIA III reliable?

The MOTO GUZZI CALIFORNIA III is about average for its class: 83.2% of its 1,460 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2909 of 5426 models.

What does a CALIFORNIA III fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 29% of all defects recorded against failed CALIFORNIA III tests.

What is the best year of CALIFORNIA III to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1988-registered examples do best (91.1%) and 1992 worst (73.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a CALIFORNIA III last?

The median CALIFORNIA III shows 32,953 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 81.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.