Moto Guzzi CALIFORNIA MOT pass rate and common failures
Moto Guzzi CALIFORNIA motorcycles pass the MOT 89.76% of the time, measured across 547 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.2% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with not working - it accounts for 39.4% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check missing and the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%, the next two most common reasons.
- Age matters here: 94.92% of 6-10 year old examples pass, against 88.76% at 16+ years - a gap of 6.2 points.
- The most common advisory is has a serious fluid leak (4.9% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 24,222 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.
Pass rate by age
A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.
| Age at test | Pass rate | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 years | 94.92% | 59 | |
| 11-15 years | 91.8% | 61 | |
| 16+ years | 88.76% | 427 |
Why the Moto Guzzi CALIFORNIA fails
Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.
| # | Item | Of failures | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not working | 39.4% | 13 | |
| 2 | Missing | 15.2% | 5 | |
| 3 | The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25% | 15.2% | 5 | |
| 4 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 15.2% | 5 | |
| 5 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 12.1% | 4 | |
| 6 | Has a serious fluid leak | 12.1% | 4 | |
| 7 | Rough when rotated | 12.1% | 4 | |
| 8 | Too high | 12.1% | 4 | |
| 9 | Insecure | 9.1% | 3 | |
| 10 | Not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions | 9.1% | 3 |
Most common advisories
Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.
| # | Item | Of all tests | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Has a serious fluid leak | 4.9% | 27 | |
| 2 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 4.4% | 24 | |
| 3 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 4.2% | 23 | |
| 4 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 2.4% | 13 | |
| 5 | Tread not clearly visible | 2% | 11 | |
| 6 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 1.5% | 8 | |
| 7 | Excessively binding | 1.3% | 7 | |
| 8 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 1.3% | 7 | |
| 9 | Significantly and obviously worn | 1.3% | 7 | |
| 10 | Has excessive play | 1.1% | 6 |
Moto Guzzi CALIFORNIA for sale
No Moto Guzzi CALIFORNIA in stock at the moment - 173 other Moto Guzzi bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph TIGER · 969cc | 16,144 | 91.27% | 22,934 | |
| Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc | 12,456 | 90.8% | 12,824 | |
| BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc | 9,796 | 91.92% | 40,594 | |
| BMW R1200 · 1,170cc | 9,521 | 94.43% | 28,830 | |
| BMW S 1000 · 999cc | 8,445 | 91.96% | 15,282 | |
| BMW R1250 · 1,254cc | 6,764 | 96.17% | 17,373 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method