ROYAL ENFIELD CONTINENTAL GT
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The CONTINENTAL GT's first-time pass rate has risen 3.9 points since 2006, 86.7% to 90.6%.
What fails on a CONTINENTAL GT
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
7 | 21.9 | 0.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
6 | 18.8 | 0.2× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
5 | 15.6 | 0.2× |
| structure and attachments |
|
4 | 12.5 | 0.8× |
| body and structure |
|
3 | 9.4 | 0.7× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
2 | 6.2 | 1.6× |
| brakes |
|
2 | 6.2 | 0.1× |
| wheels |
|
1 | 3.1 | 3.0× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
1 | 3.1 | 0.2× |
| steering |
|
1 | 3.1 | 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
On first-time pass rate the CONTINENTAL GT beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).
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 CONTINENTAL GT.
Compare with any bike
More ROYAL ENFIELD models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1966 (92.6% pass). Weakest: 1965 (89.3%).
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.
ROYAL ENFIELD CONTINENTAL GT FAQ
Is the ROYAL ENFIELD CONTINENTAL GT reliable?
The ROYAL ENFIELD CONTINENTAL GT is more reliable than average for its class: 89.9% of its 557 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #988 of 5428 models.
What does a CONTINENTAL GT fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors — 22% of all defects recorded against failed CONTINENTAL GT tests.
What is the best year of CONTINENTAL GT to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1966-registered examples do best (92.6%) and 1965 worst (89.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.
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