HONDA NX650

644cc Petrol Class 2

#3557 of 5426 overall #628 of 921 HONDAs #2263 of 2787 other bikes

80.1%

first-time pass rate

11.1%

failed outright

21,404

median miles at test

8,196

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The NX650's first-time pass rate has risen 10.4 points since 2005, 74.0% to 84.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the NX650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage NX650 passes first time 83.3% of the time; by 50k that's 75.6%.

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 NX650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	592	28.8	1.2×
brakes	426	20.7	0.9×
steering and suspension	393	19.1	1.2×
tyres and wheels	184	8.9	1.0×
lamps and reflectors	122	5.9	0.6×
drive system	117	5.7	1.3×
fuel and exhaust	75	3.6	1.0×
reg plates and vin	57	2.8	1.0×
structure and attachments	49	2.4	0.7×
driving controls	41	2	2.1×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the NX650 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 NX650.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (85.2% pass). Weakest: 1993 (73.3%).

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 NX650 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA NX650 reliable?

The HONDA NX650 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.1% of its 8,196 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3557 of 5426 models.

What does a NX650 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 29% of all defects recorded against failed NX650 tests.

What is the best year of NX650 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (85.2%) and 1993 worst (73.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a NX650 last?

The median NX650 shows 21,404 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.