Matchless G2 vs Honda CBF250

The Matchless G2 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF250: 89.1% vs 84.9%, a 4.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Matchless G2	Honda CBF250
First-time pass rate	89.1%	84.9%
Outright fail rate	5.2%	8.1%
Engine size	250cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#1243 of 5428	#2516 of 5428
Median miles at test	12,758	10,566
MOT tests analysed	441	7,536
Most common failure	steering and suspension	brakes

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.

Pass rate by test year

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

Test year	Matchless G2	Honda CBF250
2007	88.4%	87.8%
2008	94.9%	86.0%
2009	86.7%	85.6%
2010	86.5%	82.3%
2012	87.2%	83.9%
2014	97.2%	84.0%

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	Matchless G2	Honda CBF250
0k-10k miles	87.8%	88.5%
10k-20k miles	88.6%	82.6%
20k-30k miles	91.4%	81.6%

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

MATCHLESS G2 89.1% pass · 441 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 tests

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