1987 Royal Enfield Bullet MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Bullet models manufactured in 1987, based on 47 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1987 Royal Enfield Bullet MOT Analysis
The 1987 Royal Enfield Bullet has an MOT pass rate of 78.7% based on 47 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 25,037 miles on the odometer. With a 21.3% failure rate, the 1987 Bullet is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1987 Royal Enfield Bullet is Motorcycle steering, responsible for 4.3% of failures. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs range from £150–600. Motorcycle structure and attachments is the second most common issue at 4.3%. Motorcycle brakes follows at 2.1%.
Top failures specific to 1987 models only. The overall Bullet page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Steering | 4.3% | 2 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 4.3% | 2 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Brakes | 2.1% | 1 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 2.1% | 1 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Suspension | 2.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 25,037 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle steering | 1.70 | 4.3% | 2 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 1.70 | 4.3% | 2 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 0.85 | 2.1% | 1 |
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 0.85 | 2.1% | 1 |
| Motorcycle suspension | 0.85 | 2.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1987 Royal Enfield Bullet has an MOT pass rate of 78.7% based on 47 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 25,037 miles on the odometer. With a 21.3% failure rate, the 1987 Bullet is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1987 Royal Enfield Bullet, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to motorcycle steering: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels. With relatively low average mileage of 25,037 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Motorcycle steering — 4.3% of failures
Motorcycle steering issues account for 4.3% of MOT failures on 1987 Royal Enfield Bullet models. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Motorcycle structure and attachments — 4.3% of failures
Motorcycle structure and attachments issues account for 4.3% of MOT failures on 1987 Royal Enfield Bullet models. Motorcycle structure and attachments issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Motorcycle brakes — 2.1% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 2.1% of MOT failures on 1987 Royal Enfield Bullet models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.