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 PES's first-time pass rate has risen 7.2 points since 2011, 77.0% to 84.2%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage PES passes first time 85.8% of the time; by 50k that's 69.4%.
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 PES
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
156 | 32.2 | 1.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
83 | 17.1 | 2.0× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
70 | 14.5 | 0.7× |
| suspension |
|
55 | 11.4 | 3.2× |
| steering and suspension |
|
36 | 7.4 | 0.5× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
35 | 7.2 | 0.9× |
| tyres |
|
28 | 5.8 | 2.3× |
| steering |
|
11 | 2.3 | 1.3× |
| body and structure |
|
5 | 1 | 0.6× |
| structure and attachments |
|
5 | 1 | 0.4× |
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 PES beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).
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 PES.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2007 (87.4%). Lowest: 2011 (74.5%). Every Pes 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 PES FAQ
Is the HONDA PES reliable?
The HONDA PES is more reliable than average for its class: 78.8% of its 1,792 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #3805 of 5428 models.
What does a PES fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 32% of all defects recorded against failed PES tests.
What is the best year of PES to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (87.4%) and 2011 worst (74.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a PES last?
The median PES shows 15,468 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 69.4% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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