BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
Model report · 2005–2025

HONDA CRF230

230cc Petrol Class 2
79.0%
first-time pass rate
9.6%
failed outright
1,265
median miles at test
781
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2023

The CRF230's first-time pass rate has risen 17.3 points since 2008, 68.8% to 86.1%.

56%75%94%2008: 68.8% pass (32 tests)2009: 72.1% pass (43 tests)2010: 68.9% pass (45 tests)2011: 62.1% pass (58 tests)2012: 76.2% pass (63 tests)2013: 81.0% pass (63 tests)2014: 87.3% pass (55 tests)2015: 83.9% pass (62 tests)2016: 79.2% pass (53 tests)2017: 85.7% pass (49 tests)2018: 74.2% pass (31 tests)2019: 79.1% pass (43 tests)2022: 79.5% pass (39 tests)2023: 86.1% pass (36 tests)20082023

What fails on a CRF230

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
82 40.6 1.2×
tyres and wheels
31 15.3 1.2×
steering and suspension
20 9.9 0.7×
lamps and reflectors
18 8.9 0.7×
brakes
15 7.4 0.4×
reg plates and vin
15 7.4 2.7×
suspension
8 4 0.7×
drive system
5 2.5 0.9×
tyres
4 2 0.6×
fuel and exhaust
4 2 0.5×

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 CRF230 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 CRF230.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (86.8% pass). Weakest: 2005 (72.2%).

69%80%90%2004: 76.6% pass (201 tests)2005: 72.2% pass (187 tests)2006: 82.7% pass (110 tests)2007: 83.6% pass (110 tests)2008: 86.8% pass (91 tests)2009: 81.5% pass (54 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 CRF230 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA CRF230 reliable?

The HONDA CRF230 is less reliable than average for its class: 79.0% of its 781 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3770 of 5426 models.

What does a CRF230 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 41% of all defects recorded against failed CRF230 tests.

What is the best year of CRF230 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (86.8%) and 2005 worst (72.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.