The most reliable A2-friendly bikes (250–500cc)

Q: Which mid-capacity bikes are most reliable?

250–500cc models ranked by first-time MOT pass rate. Top of the list: SUZUKI AN 400 AM2.

Which mid-capacity bikes are most reliable?

AN 400 AM2

tops the list, SUZUKI

97.1%

pass rate

Full ranking

50 models · min 150 tests · Pass rate

#	Bike	Pass rate %	Pass %	Tests
1	SUZUKI AN 400 AM2	97.1	97.1	204
2	PIAGGIO VESPA GTS 300 SUPER ABS	96.5	96.5	492
3	ARIEL WNG	96.5	96.5	170
4	RUDGE ULSTER	96.4	96.4	391
5	HONDA SH 350 A-M	96.1	96.1	285
6	PIAGGIO VESPA GTS 300 SUPERSPORT ABS	96.0	96.0	500
7	PIAGGIO VESPA GTS 300 RACING SIXTIES	95.7	95.7	253
8	SUZUKI AN 400 AM0	95.5	95.5	220
9	VELOCETTE THRUXTON	95.3	95.3	570
10	NORTON 500	95.3	95.3	320
11	NORTON MODEL 18	95.3	95.3	190
12	VELOCETTE MSS	95.2	95.2	1,232
13	BMW C400	95.1	95.1	1,126
14	NORTON 18	95.1	95.1	387
15	BSA 500	95.1	95.1	327
16	NORTON INTERNATIONAL	95.1	95.1	288
17	BSA 350	95.1	95.1	266
18	GREEVES SCOTTISH	94.9	94.9	393
19	AJS 18	94.9	94.9	315
20	SUNBEAM MODEL 9	94.9	94.9	215
21	HONDA CMX 500 A2-L	94.8	94.8	905
22	AJS MODEL 18	94.8	94.8	267
23	BSA A7 SHOOTING STAR	94.8	94.8	231
24	ROYAL ENFIELD CRUSADER SPORT	94.8	94.8	210
25	MOTO GUZZI FALCONE	94.7	94.7	281
26	ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC 350 E5	94.6	94.6	811
27	GREEVES SPORTS	94.6	94.6	202
28	VELOCETTE VENOM	94.4	94.4	5,005
29	VELOCETTE MAC 350	94.4	94.4	270
30	SUZUKI AN 400 AL8	94.3	94.3	1,002
31	ROYAL ENFIELD METEOR 350 E5	94.1	94.1	2,561
32	HONDA CMX 500 A-L	94.0	94.0	714
33	KAWASAKI ER 400 DKF	93.9	93.9	444
34	HONDA CBF 300 NA-K	93.9	93.9	293
35	AJS 20	93.9	93.9	247
36	VELOCETTE VIPER	93.8	93.8	1,970
37	HONDA GB500	93.8	93.8	498
38	TRIUMPH 21	93.8	93.8	451
39	ARIEL ARROW	93.7	93.7	1,615
40	BSA DBD34	93.7	93.7	431
41	DOUGLAS DRAGONFLY	93.6	93.6	374
42	ARIEL NH350	93.6	93.6	282
43	BSA GOLD STAR	93.5	93.5	3,111
44	HONDA CMX 500 A-K	93.5	93.5	1,518
45	BSA SR500	93.5	93.5	325
46	SUZUKI AN 400 AL9	93.4	93.4	259
47	NORTON 16H	93.3	93.3	688
48	BSA SHOOTING STAR	93.3	93.3	668
49	YAMAHA X-MAX 300	93.2	93.2	3,186
50	HONDA SH 300 A-K	93.2	93.2	512

Normal tests only, first-time outcomes. Pass rate is the MOT first-time pass, a roadworthiness check rather than a full mechanical-reliability rating. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results. Small samples are noisier, so weight the test count. Methodology.

Related rankings

By engine size The most reliable 125cc bikes Learner-legal 125s ranked by first-time MOT pass rate. By engine size The most reliable litre-plus bikes (1000cc+) 1000cc-and-over models ranked by first-time MOT pass rate. Overall reliability The most reliable motorcycles in the UK Every model ranked by first-time MOT pass rate (min. 200 tests). Adjusted reliability The most reliable bikes for their age & mileage Models ranked by how far their pass rate beats the rate expected for bikes of the same age, mileage and class (min. 500 scored tests). Common failures Bikes most likely to fail on lights Models ranked by the share of tests failing on lighting, signalling, lamps or reflectors. By bike type The most reliable scooters Scooters ranked by first-time MOT pass rate.