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 HD's first-time pass rate has risen 17.4 points since 2017, 55.3% to 72.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage HD passes first time 68.4% of the time; by 20k that's 53.1%.
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 HD
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
128 | 27.4 | 6.5× |
| brakes |
|
88 | 18.8 | 2.0× |
| structure and attachments |
|
75 | 16.1 | 10.2× |
| suspension |
|
70 | 15 | 9.7× |
| steering |
|
31 | 6.6 | 10.1× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
30 | 6.4 | 0.5× |
| tyres |
|
18 | 3.9 | 3.7× |
| steering and suspension |
|
12 | 2.6 | 0.4× |
| drive system |
|
9 | 1.9 | 1.4× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
6 | 1.3 | 4.6× |
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 HD beats 0 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 HD.
Compare with any bike
More HONLEY models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2015 (68.8% pass). Weakest: 2016 (60.9%).
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.
HONLEY HD FAQ
Is the HONLEY HD reliable?
The HONLEY HD is less reliable than average for its class: 64.5% of its 716 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5038 of 5428 models.
What does a HD fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors — 27% of all defects recorded against failed HD tests.
What is the best year of HD to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2015-registered examples do best (68.8%) and 2016 worst (60.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a HD last?
The median HD shows 7,347 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 53.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
Embed this bike
Free to embed on your site, blog or forum — a live Honley HD reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.