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Velocette Venom Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Velocette Venom car check

Is the Velocette Venom reliable? We analysed 5,061 real MOT tests across 897 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 5,061 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
94.6%
Typical Mileage
14,992mi
Annual Mileage
272mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
71yrs

The Velocette Venom is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Velocette Venom.

Velocette Venom Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Velocette Venom. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Velocette Venom MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Velocette Venom to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

98%
1997
94.6%
1991
90.9%
1983
94%
1980
94%
1970
97.8%
1968
97.5%
1967
95.7%
1966
95.6%
1965
96.5%
1964
94.8%
1963
94.2%
1962
94%
1961
93.8%
1960
95.2%
1959
97%
1958
94.1%
1957
96.3%
1956
85.5%
1955

Velocette Venom Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Velocette Venom fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 8
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 7
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on 5
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam 5
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 5
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 5
Throttle operating incorrectly 4
shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. 4
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 4
Footrest insecure 3

Velocette Venom Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Velocette Venom owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
82 mi/yr
Typical
272 mi/yr
Average
904 mi/yr
Heavy usage
736 mi/yr

Velocette Venom MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Velocette Venom year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1997 50 98.0% 8,335 18,304 37,291
1991 56 94.6% 2,908 13,689 32,507
1983 66 90.9% 5,359 26,680 39,813
1980 50 94.0% 6,171 16,995 22,214
1970 83 94.0% 17,242 22,270 51,750
1968 91 97.8% 6,496 17,341 32,622
1967 120 97.5% 6,914 23,486 49,274
1966 162 95.7% 4,113 14,268 29,595
1965 160 95.6% 3,422 10,574 18,278
1964 172 96.5% 4,412 12,489 19,167
1963 269 94.8% 5,986 13,873 28,512
1962 377 94.2% 6,240 20,711 32,482
1961 468 94.0% 4,927 11,820 40,765
1960 937 93.8% 6,097 15,204 34,823
1959 588 95.2% 5,482 20,492 43,600
1958 230 97.0% 5,367 12,738 38,514
1957 169 94.1% 3,457 16,570 51,845
1956 82 96.3% 5,120 15,234 56,941
1955 55 85.5% 3,035 23,245 47,862

How Long Does a Velocette Venom Last?

Based on 897 Velocette Venom vehicles on UK roads.

Average
45.0 years
Median
51.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
71 years

Velocette Venom Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Velocette Venom MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
14,992 mi
75th Percentile
35,230 mi
95th Percentile
67,116 mi
Max Recorded
294,473 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Velocette Venom

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1997

98.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests

Year to avoid
1955

85.5% MOT pass rate from 55 tests

The best year to buy a used Velocette Venom is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 98.0% across 50 tests. The 1955 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Velocette Venom Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Velocette Venom THIS CAR 94.6% 5,061 14,992 mi 71 yrs
Velocette Viper 94.3% 2,009 13,902 mi 70 yrs
Velocette Le 92.6% 1,972 26,700 mi 71 yrs
Velocette Mac 92.8% 1,533 9,062 mi 78 yrs
BMW 218D M Sport Auto 88.1% 4,409 35,064 mi — yrs

Compared to the Velocette Viper (94.3% pass rate) and the Velocette Le (92.6% pass rate), the Velocette Venom outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Velocette Venom?

The Velocette Venom has an overall MOT pass rate of 94.6% across 5,061 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 Velocette Venom are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (8 recorded failures), position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (7), and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on (5). 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 Velocette Venom owner drives around 272 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 Velocette Venom models stay on UK roads for around 71 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.

Velocette Venom — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Velocette Venom reliable?
Based on 5,061 MOT tests, the Velocette Venom has a 94.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Velocette Venom?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on, and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Velocette Venom do per year?
The typical Velocette Venom does around 272 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Velocette Venom last?
Most Velocette Venom models stay on UK roads for around 71 years based on our analysis of 897 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Velocette Venom?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Velocette Venom?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Velocette Venom is 1997 with a 98.0% pass rate across 50 tests.