Enfield 500 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Enfield 500 car check
Is the Enfield 500 reliable? We analysed 1,120 real MOT tests across 146 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Enfield 500? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Enfield 500 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam and horn not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Enfield 500.
Enfield 500 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Enfield 500. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Enfield 500 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Enfield 500 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Enfield 500 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Enfield 500 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Enfield 500 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Enfield 500 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Enfield 500 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Enfield 500 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 50 | 92.0% | 11,416 | 12,718 | 14,576 |
| 2003 | 65 | 87.7% | 5,171 | 13,666 | 20,317 |
| 2002 | 50 | 86.0% | 3,782 | 8,702 | 22,796 |
| 2000 | 123 | 92.7% | 2,660 | 9,837 | 23,970 |
| 1999 | 58 | 87.9% | 2,316 | 4,332 | 16,172 |
| 1996 | 52 | 88.5% | 7,631 | 11,720 | 14,866 |
| 1995 | 61 | 91.8% | 7,602 | 9,452 | 14,156 |
| 1993 | 82 | 90.2% | 1,770 | 4,609 | 12,679 |
| 1992 | 149 | 87.9% | 2,984 | 15,276 | 18,744 |
| 1991 | 134 | 82.1% | 6,430 | 12,972 | 16,656 |
How Long Does a Enfield 500 Last?
Based on 146 Enfield 500 vehicles on UK roads.
Enfield 500 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Enfield 500 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Enfield 500
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.7% MOT pass rate from 123 tests
82.1% MOT pass rate from 134 tests
The best year to buy a used Enfield 500 is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.7% across 123 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Enfield 500 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enfield 500 THIS CAR | 87.1% | 1,120 | 9,410 mi | 35 yrs |
| Enfield Bullet 500 | 88.5% | 5,505 | 6,083 mi | 36 yrs |
| Enfield 350 | 88.6% | 2,688 | 6,364 mi | 37 yrs |
| Enfield Bullet 350 | 90% | 2,308 | 5,575 mi | 37 yrs |
| BMW Z8 | 87.4% | 1,980 | 21,615 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the Enfield Bullet 500 (88.5% pass rate) and the Enfield 350 (88.6% pass rate), the Enfield 500 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Enfield 500 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Enfield 500Should you buy a used Enfield 500?
The Enfield 500 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.1% across 1,120 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Enfield 500 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (7 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (7), and horn not working (6). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Enfield 500 owner drives around 244 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Enfield 500 models stay on UK roads for around 35 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.