Ariel Red Hunter vs Yamaha RD350

The Ariel Red Hunter passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha RD350: 92.2% vs 86.3%, a 5.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Ariel Red Hunter	Yamaha RD350
First-time pass rate	92.2%	86.3%
Outright fail rate	2.4%	6.6%
Engine size	350cc	347cc
Rank among all models	#434 of 5428	#2120 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,324	23,256
MOT tests analysed	1,422	19,574
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Ariel Red Hunter	Yamaha RD350
Lights & signalling	1.2%	3.2%
Brakes	0.6%	2.7%
Steering & suspension	0.7%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	0.4%	0.9%
Drive system	0.2%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.4%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.4%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Ariel Red Hunter	Yamaha RD350
2005	90.2%	79.9%
2006	92.2%	79.9%
2007	91.5%	81.2%
2008	91.7%	79.7%
2009	91.8%	80.6%
2010	92.0%	81.9%
2011	94.8%	82.2%
2012	93.1%	84.7%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Ariel Red Hunter	Yamaha RD350
0k-10k miles	93.0%	88.9%
10k-20k miles	86.4%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	95.0%	85.5%
30k-40k miles	98.0%	85.3%
40k-50k miles	92.4%	83.7%
50k-60k miles	90.7%	83.0%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Ariel Red Hunter vs Yamaha RD350 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ariel Red Hunter or the Yamaha RD350?

The Ariel Red Hunter passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha RD350: 92.2% vs 86.3%, a 5.9-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ariel Red Hunter fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.2% of Ariel Red Hunter MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.7%).

What does the Yamaha RD350 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.2% of Yamaha RD350 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.7%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Ariel Red Hunter or the Yamaha RD350?

At 50k-60k miles the Ariel Red Hunter passes first time more often: 90.7% for the Ariel Red Hunter vs 83.0% for the Yamaha RD350.

ARIEL RED HUNTER 92.2% pass · 1,422 tests YAMAHA RD350 86.3% pass · 19.6k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.