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.
Pass rate over time
The RAPIDE's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.8 points since 2005, 98.0% to 93.2%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage RAPIDE passes first time 94.9% of the time; by 50k that's 95.1%.
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 RAPIDE
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
19 | 40.4 | 0.1× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
12 | 25.5 | 0.3× |
| brakes |
|
8 | 17 | 0.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
2 | 4.3 | — |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
2 | 4.3 | 0.2× |
| drive system |
|
2 | 4.3 | 0.2× |
| Items Not Tested |
|
2 | 4.3 | 1.4× |
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
On first-time pass rate the RAPIDE beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).
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 RAPIDE.
Compare with any bike
More VINCENT models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1953 (96.9% pass). Weakest: 1949 (93.4%).
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.
VINCENT RAPIDE FAQ
Is the VINCENT RAPIDE reliable?
The VINCENT RAPIDE is more reliable than average for its class: 94.7% of its 1,574 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #105 of 5428 models.
What does a RAPIDE fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 40% of all defects recorded against failed RAPIDE tests.
What is the best year of RAPIDE to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1953-registered examples do best (96.9%) and 1949 worst (93.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a RAPIDE last?
The median RAPIDE shows 12,501 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 95.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
Embed this bike
Free to embed on your site, blog or forum — a live Vincent Rapide reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.