Honda MSX MOT pass rate & common failures

At a glance

Recorded pass rate

1.1 points below the fleet average of 86.5%. The examples tested do not cover a wide enough spread of ages and mileages to compare fairly against the rest of the fleet, so no rank is claimed; the failure record below stands on its own.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed Honda MSX tests in which each item was recorded. One failed test often lists several, so these do not sum to 100%.

1. 1.Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear21.4%

   64 occurrences

2. 2.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn15.7%

   47 occurrences

3. 3.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements15.4%

   46 occurrences

4. 4.Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements10.4%

   31 occurrences

5. 5.A footrest missing or insecure10.4%

   31 occurrences

6. 6.A wheel bearing with excessive play9.7%

   29 occurrences

7. 7.A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps7.4%

   22 occurrences

8. 8.A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps7.0%

   21 occurrences

9. 9.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake6.7%

   20 occurrences

10. 10.A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning6.4%

    19 occurrences

11. 11.Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements6.4%

    19 occurrences

12. 12.Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted6.0%

    18 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Honda MSX tests carrying each advisory.

1. 1.Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted10.6%

   395 tests

2. 2.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn6.3%

   234 tests

3. 3.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements4.1%

   151 tests

4. 4.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn2.7%

   100 tests

5. 5.Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play1.8%

   67 tests

6. 6.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution1.6%

   61 tests

7. 7.A wheel bearing with excessive play1.3%

   49 tests

8. 8.Number plate inscription missing or illegible1.1%

   41 tests

How wear changes the picture

MSX pass rate by age and registration year

What gets tested

The MSX fleet

Average mileage recorded at test

8,091

Test classes

class 1: 2,894 · class 2: 826

Compare within the range

Other Honda motorcycles

• Honda CBR85.7%
• Honda CB89.8%
• Honda WW85.1%
• Honda CBF82.5%
• Honda CRF91.3%
• Honda NC92.5%
• All Honda motorcycles

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a Honda MSX?

85.4% unadjusted, from 3,720 DVSA tests. The average across all motorcycles is 86.5%.

What does a Honda MSX fail its MOT on?

"Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear" is recorded in 21.4% of failed Honda MSX tests, followed by "A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn" (15.7%). One failed test often lists several items.

What mileage does a Honda MSX usually have at its MOT?

8,091 miles on average across every age tested, so a description of the fleet rather than an annual figure. Motorcycle mileages are low and vary enormously with use; a commuter bike and a weekend bike of the same age can differ by a factor of ten.