Enfield 350 vs Yamaha RD350

The Enfield 350 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha RD350: 87.5% vs 86.3%, a 1.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Enfield 350	Yamaha RD350
First-time pass rate	87.5%	86.3%
Outright fail rate	6.9%	6.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.9 pts	+2.4 pts
Engine size	346cc	347cc
Rank among all models	#1750 of 5428	#2120 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,008	23,256
MOT tests analysed	2,363	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.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

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

Component	Enfield 350	Yamaha RD350
Lights & signalling	4.2%	3.2%
Steering & suspension	2.2%	2.5%
Brakes	1.6%	2.7%
Tyres & wheels	0.8%	0.9%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	0.4%
Drive system	0.4%	0.5%

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	Enfield 350	Yamaha RD350
2018	93.2%	88.8%
2019	83.3%	91.0%
2020	90.4%	92.0%
2021	89.5%	90.1%
2022	87.2%	90.5%
2023	91.0%	92.2%
2024	90.6%	94.8%
2025	86.0%	93.5%

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	Enfield 350	Yamaha RD350
0k-10k miles	87.8%	88.9%
10k-20k miles	87.6%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	86.0%	85.5%
30k-40k miles	84.4%	85.3%

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

Enfield 350 vs Yamaha RD350 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Enfield 350 or the Yamaha RD350?

The Enfield 350 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha RD350: 87.5% vs 86.3%, a 1.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha RD350 still comes out ahead: +0.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Enfield 350, +2.4 for the Yamaha RD350. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Enfield 350 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.2% of Enfield 350 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.2%).

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 Enfield 350 or the Yamaha RD350?

They are level: at 30k-40k miles the Enfield 350 passes 84.4% first time and the Yamaha RD350 85.3%.

ENFIELD 350 87.5% pass · 2,363 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.