Kymco Pulsar Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kymco Pulsar car check
Is the Kymco Pulsar reliable? We analysed 3,412 real MOT tests across 739 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kymco Pulsar? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kymco Pulsar is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, drive chain excessively loose and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kymco Pulsar.
Kymco Pulsar Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kymco Pulsar. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kymco Pulsar MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kymco Pulsar to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kymco Pulsar Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kymco Pulsar fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kymco Pulsar Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kymco Pulsar owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kymco Pulsar MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kymco Pulsar year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 107 | 77.6% | 4,541 | 9,782 | 18,932 |
| 2015 | 232 | 74.1% | 5,289 | 10,563 | 15,167 |
| 2014 | 369 | 72.9% | 3,805 | 9,591 | 17,636 |
| 2013 | 472 | 72.5% | 5,064 | 10,201 | 16,702 |
| 2012 | 227 | 72.2% | 4,259 | 9,628 | 15,948 |
| 2011 | 253 | 69.6% | 6,741 | 13,625 | 20,558 |
| 2010 | 317 | 72.9% | 6,106 | 11,164 | 19,887 |
| 2009 | 185 | 69.7% | 6,307 | 12,082 | 19,770 |
| 2008 | 118 | 71.2% | 5,330 | 10,074 | 14,519 |
| 2004 | 210 | 74.8% | 9,663 | 16,705 | 24,986 |
| 2003 | 385 | 76.1% | 7,878 | 14,743 | 23,251 |
| 2002 | 195 | 69.7% | 5,183 | 13,733 | 20,139 |
| 2001 | 222 | 69.8% | 13,651 | 20,482 | 29,043 |
| 2000 | 93 | 73.1% | 6,396 | 12,424 | 24,677 |
How Long Does a Kymco Pulsar Last?
Based on 739 Kymco Pulsar vehicles on UK roads.
Kymco Pulsar Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kymco Pulsar 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 Kymco Pulsar
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.6% MOT pass rate from 107 tests
69.6% MOT pass rate from 253 tests
The best year to buy a used Kymco Pulsar is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.6% across 107 tests. The 2011 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kymco Pulsar Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kymco Pulsar THIS CAR | 72.7% | 3,412 | 12,156 mi | 26 yrs |
| Kymco Agility | 82% | 22,853 | 11,906 mi | 21 yrs |
| Kymco Zing | 71.1% | 4,206 | 12,325 mi | 28 yrs |
| Kymco Super 9 | 73.6% | 3,895 | 11,929 mi | 26 yrs |
| Hyundai Accent Gsi | 67.7% | 1,196 | 68,139 mi | 27 yrs |
Compared to the Kymco Agility (82.0% pass rate) and the Kymco Zing (71.1% pass rate), the Kymco Pulsar sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Kymco Pulsar 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 Kymco PulsarShould you buy a used Kymco Pulsar?
The Kymco Pulsar has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.7% across 3,412 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Kymco Pulsar are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (82 recorded failures), drive chain excessively loose (63), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (63). 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 Kymco Pulsar owner drives around 1,501 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 Kymco Pulsar models stay on UK roads for around 26 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.