Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The CD's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.0 points since 2006, 82.0% to 80.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CD passes first time 86.7% of the time; by 40k that's 86.8%.
First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.
What fails on a CD
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
43 | 34.1 | 0.7× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
16 | 12.7 | 0.7× |
| steering and suspension |
|
16 | 12.7 | 0.6× |
| brakes |
|
14 | 11.1 | 0.4× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
13 | 10.3 | 0.8× |
| body and structure |
|
7 | 5.6 | 1.1× |
| suspension |
|
6 | 4.8 | 0.6× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
4 | 3.2 | 0.7× |
| tyres |
|
4 | 3.2 | 0.6× |
| drive system |
|
3 | 2.4 | 0.6× |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the CD beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).
Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the CD.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1971 (90.2%). Lowest: 1981 (83.0%). Every CD year compared →
First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.
HONDA CD FAQ
Is the HONDA CD reliable?
The HONDA CD is more reliable than average for its class: 85.7% of its 725 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #2308 of 5428 models.
What does a CD fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 34% of all defects recorded against failed CD tests.
What is the best year of CD to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1971-registered examples do best (90.2%) and 1981 worst (83.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CD last?
The median CD shows 22,830 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 86.8% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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