Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
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 NC29's first-time pass rate has risen 10.4 points since 2006, 79.6% to 90.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage NC29 passes first time 84.6% of the time; by 50k that's 77.3%.
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 NC29
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
58 | 31.2 | 1.6× |
| steering and suspension |
|
54 | 29 | 2.0× |
| brakes |
|
25 | 13.4 | 0.8× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
18 | 9.7 | 1.5× |
| drive system |
|
8 | 4.3 | 1.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
7 | 3.8 | 1.5× |
| body and structure |
|
5 | 2.7 | 2.0× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
5 | 2.7 | 0.5× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
4 | 2.2 | 1.0× |
| suspension |
|
2 | 1.1 | 0.5× |
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 NC29 beats 2 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 NC29.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1997 (90.2%). Lowest: 1990 (70.0%). Every NC29 year compared →
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 NC29 FAQ
Is the HONDA NC29 reliable?
The HONDA NC29 is less reliable than average for its class: 78.1% of its 521 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3895 of 5428 models.
What does a NC29 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 31% of all defects recorded against failed NC29 tests.
What is the best year of NC29 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1997-registered examples do best (90.2%) and 1990 worst (70.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a NC29 last?
The median NC29 shows 32,640 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 77.3% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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