How mileage affects MOT pass rate

Mileage is the single strongest predictor of whether a bike passes its MOT, stronger than age. Here's how the odds fall as the clock climbs.

Under 10,000 miles bikes pass first time 85.1% of the time; by 90k it's 80.4%, roughly a point lost per 10,000 miles.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands, all motorcycles. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

Under 10,000 miles, motorcycles pass first time 85.1% of the time. By 90k that has fallen to 80.4%, a 4.7-point drop. As a rule of thumb, every 10,000 miles shaves roughly a point off the odds. When you're comparing two bikes of the same model, the lower-mileage one isn't just cheaper to run later; it's measurably more likely to sail through its next test.