BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ HONDA/NH80
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

HONDA NH80

79cc Petrol Class 1
#4044 of 5428 overall #773 of 920 HONDAs #177 of 734 commuter bikes
77.1%
first-time pass rate
15.0%
failed outright
4,805
median miles at test
1,304
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-2.3pp
vs expected · age & mileage

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

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2022

The NH80's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2005 (75.0% → 75.8%).

67%78%90%2005: 75.0% pass (64 tests)2006: 70.8% pass (212 tests)2007: 73.2% pass (149 tests)2008: 76.3% pass (118 tests)2009: 77.6% pass (98 tests)2010: 76.5% pass (81 tests)2011: 78.5% pass (79 tests)2012: 76.6% pass (64 tests)2013: 80.6% pass (62 tests)2014: 77.6% pass (49 tests)2015: 78.8% pass (52 tests)2016: 86.0% pass (43 tests)2017: 76.7% pass (30 tests)2022: 75.8% pass (33 tests)20052022

What fails on a NH80

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the NH80 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (HONDA C90, HONDA SCV100, YAMAHA YQ100).

HONDA C90 79.3% pass · 92.8k tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA SCV100 70.7% pass · 31.3k tests Compare head-to-head →
YAMAHA YQ100 64.7% pass · 7,747 tests Compare head-to-head →
YAMAHA RXS100 68.0% pass · 6,955 tests Compare head-to-head →

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.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the NH80

More HONDA models

other HONDA bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
HONDA CBR600F 81.7% pass · 202k tests
HONDA CBR900RR 83.2% pass · 166k tests
HONDA CBR1100XX 87.1% pass · 105k tests
HONDA CB500 83.3% pass · 105k tests
HONDA C90 79.3% pass · 92.8k tests
HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k tests

See all HONDA models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 1988 (84.3%). Lowest: 1995 (66.2%). Every NH80 year compared →

63%75%88%1983: 83.3% pass (66 tests)1984: 81.7% pass (71 tests)1985: 82.4% pass (68 tests)1987: 67.2% pass (58 tests)1988: 84.3% pass (134 tests)1989: 75.0% pass (108 tests)1990: 78.3% pass (83 tests)1991: 72.9% pass (85 tests)1992: 76.3% pass (80 tests)1993: 75.7% pass (107 tests)1994: 75.7% pass (74 tests)1995: 66.2% pass (77 tests)1996: 79.9% pass (139 tests)198319901996

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

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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 5428 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.

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