BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ HONDA/CRF 230 F
Model report · 2005–2025

HONDA CRF 230 F

223cc Petrol Class 2
81.4%
first-time pass rate
9.0%
failed outright
1,342
median miles at test
1,547
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2025

The CRF 230 F's first-time pass rate has risen 16.5 points since 2008, 75.0% to 91.5%.

58%79%100%2008: 75.0% pass (60 tests)2009: 65.3% pass (75 tests)2010: 75.8% pass (99 tests)2011: 79.6% pass (113 tests)2012: 73.5% pass (117 tests)2013: 83.9% pass (118 tests)2014: 80.7% pass (114 tests)2015: 81.9% pass (105 tests)2016: 85.0% pass (100 tests)2017: 83.7% pass (98 tests)2018: 94.4% pass (71 tests)2019: 80.0% pass (65 tests)2020: 80.7% pass (57 tests)2021: 81.8% pass (77 tests)2022: 85.3% pass (75 tests)2023: 87.7% pass (73 tests)2024: 86.5% pass (52 tests)2025: 91.5% pass (59 tests)20082025

What fails on a CRF 230 F

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
152 38.8 1.3×
tyres and wheels
55 14 1.2×
brakes
37 9.4 0.4×
lamps and reflectors
36 9.2 0.7×
steering and suspension
32 8.2 0.5×
reg plates and vin
25 6.4 2.3×
suspension
21 5.4 1.3×
structure and attachments
12 3.1 0.7×
tyres
12 3.1 0.8×
drive system
10 2.6 0.7×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the CRF 230 F beats 0 of its 1 closest rivals (HONDA CRF250).

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 CRF 230 F.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2008 (85.5% pass). Weakest: 2009 (71.3%).

68%78%88%2004: 80.0% pass (260 tests)2005: 85.1% pass (489 tests)2006: 81.2% pass (245 tests)2007: 76.2% pass (227 tests)2008: 85.5% pass (138 tests)2009: 71.3% pass (87 tests)200420072009

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 CRF 230 F FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA CRF 230 F reliable?

The HONDA CRF 230 F is less reliable than average for its class: 81.4% of its 1,547 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3291 of 5426 models.

What does a CRF 230 F fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 39% of all defects recorded against failed CRF 230 F tests.

What is the best year of CRF 230 F to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (85.5%) and 2009 worst (71.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.