HONDA HORNET

600cc Petrol Class 2

#3318 of 5426 overall #567 of 921 HONDAs #157 of 205 naked bikes

81.3%

first-time pass rate

10.8%

failed outright

18,514

median miles at test

5,466

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The HORNET's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.2 points since 2005, 84.8% to 81.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage HORNET passes first time 87.0% of the time; by 50k that's 76.6%.

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 HORNET

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	303	25.6	0.9×
brakes	262	22.1	0.9×
steering and suspension	169	14.3	0.9×
lamps and reflectors	108	9.1	0.8×
tyres and wheels	98	8.3	0.8×
drive system	68	5.7	1.3×
structure and attachments	59	5	1.1×
suspension	56	4.7	1.2×
reg plates and vin	35	3	0.9×
tyres	27	2.3	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 HORNET beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (HONDA CB500, TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE, HONDA CB600 HORNET).

HONDA CB500 83.3% pass · 105k tests TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE 87.7% pass · 37.7k tests HONDA CB600 HORNET 78.6% pass · 26.4k tests TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE R 87.7% pass · 20.6k 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 HORNET.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1997 (88.9% pass). Weakest: 1999 (76.3%).

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 HORNET FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA HORNET reliable?

The HONDA HORNET is less reliable than average for its class: 81.3% of its 5,466 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3318 of 5426 models.

What does a HORNET fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 26% of all defects recorded against failed HORNET tests.

What is the best year of HORNET to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1997-registered examples do best (88.9%) and 1999 worst (76.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a HORNET last?

The median HORNET shows 18,514 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 76.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.