HONDA MAGNA

748cc Petrol Class 2

#3459 of 5426 overall #602 of 921 HONDAs #2206 of 2787 other bikes

80.6%

first-time pass rate

11.2%

failed outright

24,227

median miles at test

1,908

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The MAGNA's first-time pass rate has fallen 7.6 points since 2006, 84.5% to 76.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage MAGNA passes first time 87.6% of the time; by 50k that's 74.2%.

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 MAGNA

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	107	23.7	1.0×
brakes	98	21.7	0.8×
steering and suspension	92	20.4	1.2×
tyres and wheels	59	13.1	1.2×
reg plates and vin	25	5.5	1.5×
fuel and exhaust	20	4.4	1.2×
tyres	15	3.3	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	14	3.1	0.4×
driving controls	11	2.4	2.0×
suspension	10	2.2	0.6×

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 MAGNA beats 2 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 TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 MAGNA.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1995 (90.5% pass). Weakest: 1982 (74.8%).

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 MAGNA FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA MAGNA reliable?

The HONDA MAGNA is less reliable than average for its class: 80.6% of its 1,908 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3459 of 5426 models.

What does a MAGNA fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 24% of all defects recorded against failed MAGNA tests.

What is the best year of MAGNA to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1995-registered examples do best (90.5%) and 1984 worst (74.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a MAGNA last?

The median MAGNA shows 24,227 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 74.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.