Velocette Viper vs Yamaha RD350

The Velocette Viper passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha RD350: 93.8% vs 86.3%, a 7.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Velocette Viper	Yamaha RD350
First-time pass rate	93.8%	86.3%
Outright fail rate	1.7%	6.6%
Engine size	350cc	347cc
Rank among all models	#198 of 5428	#2120 of 5428
Median miles at test	15,114	23,256
MOT tests analysed	1,970	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	Velocette Viper	Yamaha RD350
Lights & signalling	0.8%	3.2%
Brakes	0.4%	2.7%
Steering & suspension	0.2%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	0.3%	0.9%
Drive system	0.1%	0.5%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	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	Velocette Viper	Yamaha RD350
2011	92.7%	82.2%
2012	92.3%	84.7%
2013	93.6%	85.8%
2014	95.3%	86.6%
2015	94.8%	85.3%
2016	96.7%	88.8%
2017	95.3%	88.0%
2018	100.0%	88.8%

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	Velocette Viper	Yamaha RD350
0k-10k miles	93.4%	88.9%
10k-20k miles	92.6%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	92.9%	85.5%
30k-40k miles	97.0%	85.3%
40k-50k miles	92.5%	83.7%
50k-60k miles	94.5%	83.0%

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

Velocette Viper vs Yamaha RD350 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Velocette Viper or the Yamaha RD350?

The Velocette Viper passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha RD350: 93.8% vs 86.3%, a 7.5-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Velocette Viper fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 0.8% of Velocette Viper MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (0.4%).

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 Velocette Viper or the Yamaha RD350?

At 50k-60k miles the Velocette Viper passes first time more often: 94.5% for the Velocette Viper vs 83.0% for the Yamaha RD350.

VELOCETTE VIPER 93.8% pass · 1,970 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.