VELOCETTE MSS

500cc Petrol Class 2

#62 of 5426 overall #2 of 13 VELOCETTEs #39 of 2787 other bikes

95.2%

first-time pass rate

1.1%

failed outright

14,315

median miles at test

1,202

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2016

The MSS's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.3 points since 2005, 90.0% to 86.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage MSS passes first time 95.0% of the time; by 50k that's 98.4%.

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 MSS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	9	47.4	0.1×
brakes	4	21.1	0.1×
drive system	2	10.5	0.1×
steering and suspension	2	10.5	0.1×
tyres and wheels	2	10.5	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 MSS 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 MSS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1955 (98.1% pass). Weakest: 1960 (93.5%).

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.

VELOCETTE MSS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the VELOCETTE MSS reliable?

The VELOCETTE MSS is more reliable than average for its class: 95.2% of its 1,202 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #62 of 5426 models.

What does a MSS fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 47% of all defects recorded against failed MSS tests.

What is the best year of MSS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1955-registered examples do best (98.1%) and 1960 worst (93.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a MSS last?

The median MSS shows 14,315 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 98.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.