ROYAL ENFIELD THUNDERBIRD
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.
What fails on a THUNDERBIRD
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
13 | 30.2 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
7 | 16.3 |
| brakes |
|
6 | 14 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
3 | 7 |
| steering and suspension |
|
3 | 7 |
| structure and attachments |
|
3 | 7 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
2 | 4.7 |
| sidecar |
|
2 | 4.7 |
| tyres |
|
2 | 4.7 |
| body and structure |
|
2 | 4.7 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
Compare with any bike
More ROYAL ENFIELD models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2008 (88.3% pass). Weakest: 2005 (84.6%).
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.
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