Pass rate over time
The NC23's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.1 points since 2006, 73.8% to 70.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage NC23 passes first time 84.5% of the time; by 40k that's 59.0%.
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 NC23
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
47 | 31.3 |
| steering and suspension |
|
29 | 19.3 |
| brakes |
|
25 | 16.7 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
14 | 9.3 |
| body and structure |
|
11 | 7.3 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
9 | 6 |
| reg plates and vin |
|
5 | 3.3 |
| suspension |
|
4 | 2.7 |
| Items Not Tested |
|
3 | 2 |
| structure and attachments |
|
3 | 2 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the NC23 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).
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 NC23.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1989 (77.8% pass). Weakest: 1988 (67.1%).
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.