Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA CMX 500 A-X
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 CMX 500 A-X's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.3 points since 2020, 96.4% to 91.1%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CMX 500 A-X passes first time 94.4% of the time; by 30k that's 80.0%.
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 CMX 500 A-X
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
96 | 25.5 | 0.8× |
| brakes |
|
69 | 18.4 | 0.2× |
| structure and attachments |
|
69 | 18.4 | 1.5× |
| tyres |
|
58 | 15.4 | 1.6× |
| suspension |
|
42 | 11.2 | 0.9× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
19 | 5.1 | 1.6× |
| steering |
|
11 | 2.9 | 0.4× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
11 | 2.9 | 1.1× |
| wheels |
|
1 | 0.3 | 0.3× |
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 CMX 500 A-X beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 CMX 500 A-X.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2019 (93.3%). Lowest: 2018 (92.4%). Every CMX 500 A-X 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 CMX 500 A-X FAQ
Is the HONDA CMX 500 A-X reliable?
The HONDA CMX 500 A-X is more reliable than average for its class: 92.7% of its 5,227 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #344 of 5428 models.
What does a CMX 500 A-X fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors: 26% of all defects recorded against failed CMX 500 A-X tests.
What is the best year of CMX 500 A-X to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2019-registered examples do best (93.3%) and 2018 worst (92.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CMX 500 A-X last?
The median CMX 500 A-X shows 5,106 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 80.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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