HONDA NES

125cc Petrol Class 1

74.2%

first-time pass rate

18.3%

failed outright

13,379

median miles at test

186

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the NES's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage NES passes first time 81.8% of the time; by 20k that's 55.6%.

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 NES

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	21	31.8
lighting and signalling	17	25.8
steering and suspension	10	15.2
suspension	7	10.6
tyres and wheels	3	4.5
lamps and reflectors	3	4.5
steering	2	3
reg plates and vin	1	1.5
tyres	1	1.5
driving controls	1	1.5

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 NES beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).

YAMAHA YBR 125 71.0% pass · 125k tests HONDA CG125 72.2% pass · 89.3k tests HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests GILERA RUNNER 70.8% pass · 69.9k 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 NES.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2001 (75.3% pass). Weakest: 2002 (67.6%).

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.