VINCENT RAPIDE

998cc Petrol Class 2

#92 of 5426 overall #1 of 4 VINCENTs #60 of 2787 other bikes

94.8%

first-time pass rate

1.5%

failed outright

12,469

median miles at test

1,503

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The RAPIDE's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.3 points since 2005, 97.9% to 93.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage RAPIDE passes first time 94.8% of the time; by 50k that's 95.9%.

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 RAPIDE

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	19	40.4	0.2×
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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the RAPIDE beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 RAPIDE.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1948 (97.3% pass). Weakest: 1949 (93.3%).

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

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the VINCENT RAPIDE reliable?

The VINCENT RAPIDE is more reliable than average for its class: 94.8% of its 1,503 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #92 of 5426 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, 1948-registered examples do best (97.3%) and 1949 worst (93.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a RAPIDE last?

The median RAPIDE shows 12,469 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 95.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.