SUNBEAM S8

500cc Petrol Class 2

#565 of 5426 overall #2 of 3 SUNBEAMs #343 of 2787 other bikes

91.5%

first-time pass rate

3.5%

failed outright

7,302

median miles at test

1,299

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2012

The S8's first-time pass rate has risen 1.3 points since 2005, 92.3% to 93.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the S8's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage S8 passes first time 92.4% of the time; by 50k that's 94.9%.

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 S8

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	38	38.4	0.5×
lighting and signalling	22	22.2	0.3×
steering and suspension	20	20.2	0.4×
tyres and wheels	8	8.1	0.3×
driving controls	4	4	1.3×
body and structure	3	3	0.5×
fuel and exhaust	2	2	0.2×
drive system	2	2	0.2×

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 S8 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 S8.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1956 (94.5% pass). Weakest: 1953 (87.8%).

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.

SUNBEAM S8 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUNBEAM S8 reliable?

The SUNBEAM S8 is more reliable than average for its class: 91.5% of its 1,299 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #565 of 5426 models.

What does a S8 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 38% of all defects recorded against failed S8 tests.

What is the best year of S8 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1956-registered examples do best (94.5%) and 1953 worst (87.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a S8 last?

The median S8 shows 7,302 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 94.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.