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 CUB's first-time pass rate has fallen 8.0 points since 2006, 86.4% to 78.4%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CUB passes first time 84.7% of the time; by 30k that's 86.2%.
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 CUB
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
59 | 41.3 | 1.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
22 | 15.4 | 1.0× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
18 | 12.6 | 1.4× |
| brakes |
|
18 | 12.6 | 0.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
13 | 9.1 | 0.8× |
| body and structure |
|
5 | 3.5 | 1.6× |
| suspension |
|
3 | 2.1 | 0.4× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
2 | 1.4 | 0.6× |
| drive system |
|
2 | 1.4 | 0.4× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
1 | 0.7 | 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
On first-time pass rate the CUB beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (HONDA C90, HONDA SCV100, YAMAHA YQ100).
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 CUB.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1994 (86.7%). Lowest: 1995 (79.0%). Every Cub 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 CUB FAQ
Is the HONDA CUB reliable?
The HONDA CUB is more reliable than average for its class: 84.1% of its 634 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #2721 of 5428 models.
What does a CUB fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 41% of all defects recorded against failed CUB tests.
What is the best year of CUB to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1994-registered examples do best (86.7%) and 1995 worst (79.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CUB last?
The median CUB shows 16,167 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 86.2% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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