Royal Enfield common problems and MOT failures
From 13,266 MOT tests in 2024, 4.6% of Royal Enfield vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Royal Enfield MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | tyre tread depth outside legal limits | 54 |
| 2 | stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 48 |
| 3 | brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 46 |
| 4 | stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released | 38 |
| 5 | reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear | 38 |
| 6 | transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn | 33 |
| 7 | direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 33 |
| 8 | number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 32 |
| 9 | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 31 |
| 10 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements | 30 |
What this means if you're buying a Royal Enfield
The single most common MOT failure for Royal Enfield is tyre tread depth outside legal limits, accounting for 14% of all failure items. A set of new tyres typically costs £200–£500 depending on size.
These figures are from real MOT inspections — they show what testers actually find wrong with Royal Enfield vehicles. If you're viewing a used Royal Enfield, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Buying a specific Royal Enfield? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK