RUDGE ULSTER

499cc Petrol Class 2

#18 of 5426 overall #1 of 2 RUDGEs #11 of 2787 other bikes

96.4%

first-time pass rate

1.3%

failed outright

6,803

median miles at test

391

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2012

The ULSTER's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (98.5% → 97.6%).

What fails on a ULSTER

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	7	70
Items Not Tested	1	10
lighting and signalling	1	10
steering and suspension	1	10

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 ULSTER 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 SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 ULSTER.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1939 (100.0% pass). Weakest: 1937 (94.1%).

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.