Pass rate over time
The EXPRESS's first-time pass rate has fallen 9.8 points since 2006, 82.5% to 72.7%.
What fails on a EXPRESS
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
81 | 45.8 | 1.8× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
29 | 16.4 | 1.8× |
| steering and suspension |
|
23 | 13 | 1.0× |
| brakes |
|
19 | 10.7 | 0.5× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
10 | 5.6 | 2.1× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
7 | 4 | 0.4× |
| driving controls |
|
2 | 1.1 | 1.3× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
2 | 1.1 | 0.6× |
| body and structure |
|
2 | 1.1 | 0.7× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
2 | 1.1 | 1.7× |
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 EXPRESS beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT, PIAGGIO ZIP, PIAGGIO NRG).
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 EXPRESS.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1978 (89.7% pass). Weakest: 1979 (78.2%).
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 EXPRESS FAQ
Is the HONDA EXPRESS reliable?
The HONDA EXPRESS is more reliable than average for its class: 82.3% of its 631 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #3130 of 5426 models.
What does a EXPRESS fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 46% of all defects recorded against failed EXPRESS tests.
What is the best year of EXPRESS to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1978-registered examples do best (89.7%) and 1979 worst (78.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.