The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The MONKEY's first-time pass rate has risen 9.1 points since 2006, 90.9% to 100.0%.
What fails on a MONKEY
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
32 | 42.1 | 0.5× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
10 | 13.2 | 1.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
9 | 11.8 | 0.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
6 | 7.9 | 0.3× |
| brakes |
|
6 | 7.9 | 0.1× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
3 | 3.9 | 0.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
3 | 3.9 | 0.5× |
| suspension |
|
3 | 3.9 | 0.3× |
| steering |
|
2 | 2.6 | 0.6× |
| drive system |
|
2 | 2.6 | 0.3× |
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 MONKEY 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 MONKEY.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2007 (95.5% pass). Weakest: 2002 (94.4%).
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 MONKEY FAQ
Is the HONDA MONKEY reliable?
The HONDA MONKEY is more reliable than average for its class: 90.9% of its 811 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #705 of 5428 models.
What does a MONKEY fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 42% of all defects recorded against failed MONKEY tests.
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