HONDA NC31

399cc Petrol Class 2

72.2%

first-time pass rate

16.5%

failed outright

36,765

median miles at test

133

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a NC31

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	9	19.6
lighting and signalling	9	19.6
steering and suspension	7	15.2
reg plates and vin	4	8.7
driving controls	4	8.7
lamps and reflectors	4	8.7
tyres and wheels	3	6.5
steering	2	4.3
structure and attachments	2	4.3
suspension	2	4.3

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the NC31 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k 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 NC31.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1992 (71.7% pass). Weakest: 1992 (71.7%).

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.