Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Kymco Downtown vs Honda Forza 300/350
The Honda Forza 300/350 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kymco Downtown: 89.6% vs 81.4%, a 8.2-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Kymco Downtown | Honda Forza 300/350 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 81.4% | 89.6% |
| Outright fail rate | 14.5% | 7.3% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -1.0 pts | +2.6 pts |
| Engine size | 299cc | 279cc |
| Rank among all models | #3291 of 5428 | #1077 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 11,018 | 9,648 |
| MOT tests analysed | 1,320 | 10,821 |
| Most common failure | brakes | brakes |
First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.
"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.
What fails, side by side
| Component | Kymco Downtown | Honda Forza 300/350 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 7.6% | 3.4% |
| Tyres & wheels | 4.7% | 2.6% |
| Steering & suspension | 4.4% | 1.8% |
| Lights & signalling | 2.9% | 1.7% |
| Structure & body | 0.4% | 0.4% |
A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.
Pass rate by test year
| Test year | Kymco Downtown | Honda Forza 300/350 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 75.0% | 87.4% |
| 2019 | 79.3% | 88.4% |
| 2020 | 83.5% | 87.6% |
| 2021 | 82.9% | 88.2% |
| 2022 | 76.6% | 90.5% |
| 2023 | 83.6% | 89.2% |
| 2024 | 84.2% | 90.2% |
| 2025 | 86.7% | 91.8% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Kymco Downtown | Honda Forza 300/350 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 84.0% | 94.2% |
| 10k-20k miles | 80.6% | 87.6% |
| 20k-30k miles | 80.6% | 81.3% |
| 30k-40k miles | 74.6% | 82.1% |
| 40k-50k miles | 78.0% | 83.2% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Kymco Downtown vs Honda Forza 300/350 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Kymco Downtown or the Honda Forza 300/350?
The Honda Forza 300/350 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kymco Downtown: 89.6% vs 81.4%, a 8.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda Forza 300/350 still comes out ahead: -1.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Kymco Downtown, +2.6 for the Honda Forza 300/350. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Kymco Downtown fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 7.6% of Kymco Downtown MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (4.7%).
What does the Honda Forza 300/350 fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 3.4% of Honda Forza 300/350 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (2.6%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Kymco Downtown or the Honda Forza 300/350?
At 40k-50k miles the Honda Forza 300/350 passes first time more often: 78.0% for the Kymco Downtown vs 83.2% for the Honda Forza 300/350.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.