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 SH300's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.8 points since 2010, 92.2% to 88.4%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage SH300 passes first time 92.1% of the time; by 50k that's 75.7%.
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 SH300
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
108 | 39.7 | 0.8× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
44 | 16.2 | 0.4× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
37 | 13.6 | 0.6× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
30 | 11 | 0.7× |
| steering and suspension |
|
20 | 7.4 | 0.3× |
| suspension |
|
10 | 3.7 | 0.6× |
| tyres |
|
9 | 3.3 | 0.5× |
| structure and attachments |
|
8 | 2.9 | 0.4× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
3 | 1.1 | 0.2× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
3 | 1.1 | 0.2× |
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 SH300 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI AN400, YAMAHA RD350, YAMAHA YP250).
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 SH300.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2009 (92.5%). Lowest: 2011 (85.8%). Every SH300 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 SH300 FAQ
Is the HONDA SH300 reliable?
The HONDA SH300 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.6% of its 2,463 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1402 of 5428 models.
What does a SH300 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 40% of all defects recorded against failed SH300 tests.
What is the best year of SH300 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (92.5%) and 2011 worst (85.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a SH300 last?
The median SH300 shows 13,014 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.7% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
Embed this bike
Free to embed on your site, blog or forum: a live Honda SH300 reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.