Pass rate over time
The MELODY's first-time pass rate has risen 11.4 points since 2005, 72.5% to 83.9%.
What fails on a MELODY
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
118 | 41.7 | 1.4× |
| brakes |
|
55 | 19.4 | 0.9× |
| steering and suspension |
|
50 | 17.7 | 1.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
30 | 10.6 | 1.2× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
12 | 4.2 | 1.5× |
| body and structure |
|
7 | 2.5 | 1.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
4 | 1.4 | 0.2× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
3 | 1.1 | 0.5× |
| driving controls |
|
2 | 0.7 | 0.9× |
| Items Not Tested |
|
2 | 0.7 | 1.1× |
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 MELODY 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 MELODY.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1985 (88.7% pass). Weakest: 1984 (72.1%).
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 MELODY FAQ
Is the HONDA MELODY reliable?
The HONDA MELODY is more reliable than average for its class: 80.6% of its 997 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #3459 of 5426 models.
What does a MELODY fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 42% of all defects recorded against failed MELODY tests.
What is the best year of MELODY to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1985-registered examples do best (88.7%) and 1984 worst (72.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.