VULCAN CUSTOM

124cc Petrol Class 1

#5324 of 5426 overall #1 of 2 VULCANs #685 of 734 commuter bikes

56.1%

first-time pass rate

30.8%

failed outright

6,494

median miles at test

930

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2016

The CUSTOM's first-time pass rate has fallen 17.4 points since 2006, 78.7% to 61.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the CUSTOM's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage CUSTOM passes first time 59.7% of the time; by 20k that's 66.7%.

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 CUSTOM

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	410	38.8	5.2×
steering and suspension	187	17.7	4.6×
brakes	178	16.8	3.1×
drive system	98	9.3	10.0×
fuel and exhaust	55	5.2	6.2×
body and structure	49	4.6	8.5×
tyres and wheels	28	2.6	1.5×
lamps and reflectors	26	2.5	0.8×
driving controls	14	1.3	5.5×
reg plates and vin	12	1.1	2.1×

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 CUSTOM beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).

YAMAHA YBR 125 71.0% pass · 125k tests HONDA CG125 72.2% pass · 89.3k tests HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests GILERA RUNNER 70.8% pass · 69.9k 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 CUSTOM.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (63.3% pass). Weakest: 2004 (51.3%).

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.

VULCAN CUSTOM FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the VULCAN CUSTOM reliable?

The VULCAN CUSTOM is less reliable than average for its class: 56.1% of its 930 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5324 of 5426 models.

What does a CUSTOM fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 39% of all defects recorded against failed CUSTOM tests.

What is the best year of CUSTOM to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (63.3%) and 2004 worst (51.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a CUSTOM last?

The median CUSTOM shows 6,494 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 66.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.