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 NPS 50-6's first-time pass rate has risen 23.1 points since 2009, 73.0% to 96.1%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage NPS 50-6 passes first time 86.3% of the time; by 20k that's 77.2%.
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 NPS 50-6
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| steering and suspension |
|
121 | 27.9 | 1.2× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
89 | 20.6 | 0.6× |
| brakes |
|
58 | 13.4 | 0.4× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
46 | 10.6 | 0.7× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
33 | 7.6 | 1.6× |
| suspension |
|
33 | 7.6 | 1.4× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
32 | 7.4 | 0.6× |
| structure and attachments |
|
8 | 1.8 | 0.5× |
| driving controls |
|
7 | 1.6 | 1.0× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
6 | 1.4 | 1.1× |
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 NPS 50-6 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT, PIAGGIO ZIP, PIAGGIO NRG).
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 NPS 50-6.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2010 (91.2%). Lowest: 2006 (80.1%). Every NPS 50-6 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 NPS 50-6 FAQ
Is the HONDA NPS 50-6 reliable?
The HONDA NPS 50-6 is more reliable than average for its class: 85.4% of its 2,435 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #2385 of 5428 models.
What does a NPS 50-6 fail its MOT on most?
steering and suspension: 28% of all defects recorded against failed NPS 50-6 tests.
What is the best year of NPS 50-6 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (91.2%) and 2006 worst (80.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a NPS 50-6 last?
The median NPS 50-6 shows 5,218 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 77.2% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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