PANTHER M120

650cc Petrol Class 2

#92 of 5426 overall #1 of 4 PANTHERs #60 of 2787 other bikes

94.8%

first-time pass rate

2.0%

failed outright

21,895

median miles at test

346

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2015

The M120's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (97.1% → 96.7%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the M120's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage M120 passes first time 97.5% of the time; by 40k that's 94.0%.

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 M120

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	9	42.9
sidecar	3	14.3
steering and suspension	3	14.3
brakes	2	9.5
tyres and wheels	1	4.8
drive system	1	4.8
fuel and exhaust	1	4.8
body and structure	1	4.8

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 M120 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 HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 M120.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1963 (98.7% pass). Weakest: 1964 (93.0%).

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.