Matchless G2 vs Yamaha YP250

The Matchless G2 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YP250: 89.1% vs 82.5%, a 6.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Matchless G2	Yamaha YP250
First-time pass rate	89.1%	82.5%
Outright fail rate	5.2%	12.3%
Engine size	250cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#1243 of 5428	#3073 of 5428
Median miles at test	12,758	15,613
MOT tests analysed	441	12,433
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	Yamaha YP250
2006	85.4%	86.7%
2007	88.4%	79.8%
2008	94.9%	80.8%
2009	86.7%	81.8%
2010	86.5%	81.3%
2012	87.2%	83.9%
2014	97.2%	81.4%

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	Yamaha YP250
0k-10k miles	87.8%	88.6%
10k-20k miles	88.6%	82.5%
20k-30k miles	91.4%	78.6%

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

MATCHLESS G2 89.1% pass · 441 tests YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests

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