HONDA FMX 650-5

644cc Petrol Class 2

#3028 of 5426 overall #495 of 921 HONDAs #1921 of 2787 other bikes

82.7%

first-time pass rate

8.2%

failed outright

9,394

median miles at test

1,561

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The FMX 650-5's first-time pass rate has risen 4.4 points since 2008, 87.3% to 91.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the FMX 650-5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage FMX 650-5 passes first time 86.1% of the time; by 30k that's 81.6%.

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 FMX 650-5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	60	23.9	0.6×
steering and suspension	46	18.3	0.8×
tyres and wheels	40	15.9	1.2×
brakes	32	12.7	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	31	12.4	0.7×
drive system	10	4	0.7×
reg plates and vin	9	3.6	0.8×
suspension	8	3.2	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	8	3.2	0.6×
body and structure	7	2.8	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 FMX 650-5 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k tests

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 FMX 650-5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (85.3% pass). Weakest: 2008 (60.0%).

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 FMX 650-5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA FMX 650-5 reliable?

The HONDA FMX 650-5 is less reliable than average for its class: 82.7% of its 1,561 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3028 of 5426 models.

What does a FMX 650-5 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 24% of all defects recorded against failed FMX 650-5 tests.

What is the best year of FMX 650-5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (85.3%) and 2008 worst (60.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FMX 650-5 last?

The median FMX 650-5 shows 9,394 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 81.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.