BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ HONDA/Z50
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

HONDA Z50

49cc Petrol Class 1
#884 of 5428 overall #100 of 920 HONDAs #12 of 456 moped bikes
90.2%
first-time pass rate
4.6%
failed outright
1,676
median miles at test
1,094
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+9.6pp
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 · 2006–2025

The Z50's first-time pass rate has risen 6.8 points since 2006, 90.5% to 97.3%.

75%88%100%2006: 90.5% pass (63 tests)2007: 91.2% pass (57 tests)2008: 84.5% pass (58 tests)2009: 80.0% pass (60 tests)2010: 89.1% pass (55 tests)2011: 92.7% pass (55 tests)2012: 85.2% pass (61 tests)2013: 88.1% pass (59 tests)2014: 86.4% pass (59 tests)2015: 89.1% pass (55 tests)2016: 93.2% pass (59 tests)2017: 86.9% pass (61 tests)2018: 91.5% pass (47 tests)2019: 100.0% pass (44 tests)2020: 100.0% pass (48 tests)2021: 90.6% pass (53 tests)2022: 93.0% pass (57 tests)2023: 93.1% pass (58 tests)2024: 88.1% pass (42 tests)2025: 97.3% pass (37 tests)20062025

What fails on a Z50

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
44 41.9 0.5×
steering and suspension
20 19 0.4×
tyres and wheels
12 11.4 0.5×
reg plates and vin
10 9.5 1.3×
tyres
4 3.8 0.4×
lamps and reflectors
4 3.8 0.1×
brakes
4 3.8 0.1×
drive system
3 2.9 0.1×
driving controls
2 1.9 0.8×
suspension
2 1.9 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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the Z50 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT, PIAGGIO ZIP, PIAGGIO NRG).

PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT 65.2% pass · 83.7k tests Compare head-to-head →
PIAGGIO ZIP 71.3% pass · 79.0k tests Compare head-to-head →
PIAGGIO NRG 65.5% pass · 40.5k tests Compare head-to-head →
PEUGEOT VIVACITY 70.4% pass · 29.7k 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 Z50.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the Z50

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: 2003 (96.5%). Lowest: 1971 (82.8%). Every Z50 year compared →

80%90%99%1971: 82.8% pass (58 tests)2000: 95.0% pass (60 tests)2001: 90.6% pass (64 tests)2003: 96.5% pass (143 tests)2004: 93.9% pass (82 tests)197120012004

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 Z50 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA Z50 reliable?

The HONDA Z50 is more reliable than average for its class: 90.2% of its 1,094 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #884 of 5428 models.

What does a Z50 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling: 42% of all defects recorded against failed Z50 tests.

What is the best year of Z50 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (96.5%) and 1971 worst (82.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

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