Pass rate over time
The NH80's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2005 (75.0% → 75.8%).
What fails on a NH80
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
116 | 24.8 | 1.4× |
| steering and suspension |
|
110 | 23.5 | 2.1× |
| brakes |
|
101 | 21.6 | 1.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
51 | 10.9 | 1.8× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
25 | 5.3 | 0.6× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
22 | 4.7 | 1.8× |
| body and structure |
|
20 | 4.3 | 2.1× |
| tyres |
|
9 | 1.9 | 0.7× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
7 | 1.5 | 0.8× |
| steering |
|
7 | 1.5 | 0.9× |
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 NH80 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (HONDA C90, HONDA SCV100, YAMAHA YQ100).
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 NH80.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1988 (84.3% pass). Weakest: 1995 (66.2%).
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 NH80 FAQ
Is the HONDA NH80 reliable?
The HONDA NH80 is more reliable than average for its class: 77.1% of its 1,304 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4044 of 5426 models.
What does a NH80 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 25% of all defects recorded against failed NH80 tests.
What is the best year of NH80 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1988-registered examples do best (84.3%) and 1995 worst (66.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.