BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
Model report · 2005–2025

SHERCO 300

303cc Petrol Class 2
#3531 of 5426 overall #3 of 3 SHERCOs #2246 of 2787 other bikes
80.2%
first-time pass rate
11.3%
failed outright
1,757
median miles at test
1,018
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2019–2025

The 300's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.0 points since 2019, 82.8% to 80.8%.

72%79%86%2019: 82.8% pass (58 tests)2020: 83.7% pass (92 tests)2021: 81.9% pass (138 tests)2022: 74.7% pass (158 tests)2023: 81.1% pass (196 tests)2024: 81.8% pass (165 tests)2025: 80.8% pass (177 tests)20192025

What fails on a 300

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors
148 41.2 4.4×
suspension
58 16.2 6.0×
audible warning (Horn)
43 12 23.1×
Identification of the vehicle
36 10 14.5×
tyres
30 8.4 3.0×
structure and attachments
15 4.2 1.6×
brakes
12 3.3 0.2×
steering
8 2.2 1.7×
lighting and signalling
6 1.7 0.1×
steering and suspension
3 0.8 0.1×

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 300 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI AN400, YAMAHA RD350, YAMAHA YP250).

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 300.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2020 (86.1% pass). Weakest: 2014 (71.9%).

69%79%89%2014: 71.9% pass (89 tests)2015: 75.6% pass (82 tests)2016: 83.6% pass (232 tests)2017: 81.3% pass (182 tests)2018: 82.6% pass (144 tests)2019: 75.4% pass (118 tests)2020: 86.1% pass (101 tests)2021: 75.0% pass (64 tests)201420182021

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.

SHERCO 300 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SHERCO 300 reliable?

The SHERCO 300 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.2% of its 1,018 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3531 of 5426 models.

What does a 300 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 41% of all defects recorded against failed 300 tests.

What is the best year of 300 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2020-registered examples do best (86.1%) and 2014 worst (71.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.