HONDA Z50A

49cc Petrol Class 1

82.1%

first-time pass rate

10.1%

failed outright

2,026

median miles at test

179

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a Z50A

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	19	40.4
steering and suspension	12	25.5
fuel and exhaust	5	10.6
reg plates and vin	4	8.5
brakes	3	6.4
drive system	2	4.3
Items Not Tested	1	2.1
body and structure	1	2.1

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the Z50A beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT, PIAGGIO ZIP, PIAGGIO NRG).

PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT 65.2% pass · 83.7k tests PIAGGIO ZIP 71.3% pass · 79.0k tests PIAGGIO NRG 65.5% pass · 40.5k tests PEUGEOT VIVACITY 70.4% pass · 29.7k 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 Z50A.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1971 (88.1% pass). Weakest: 1971 (88.1%).

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.