The MOT Files

Motorcycle reliability file

Honda NC MOT pass rate & common failures

From 7,951 recorded MOT tests of the Honda NC, published by DVSA.

Data updated

Quick answer

The Honda NC passes 92.5% of MOT tests once adjusted for age and mileage, ranking 2 of 36 motorcycle models, against 86.5% for all motorcycles. The most recorded failure is "A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely", in 26.6% of failed tests.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

92.5%adjusted · 90.4% raw · rank 2 of 367,951 tests

6.0 points above the fleet average of 86.5%.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

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

  1. 1.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely26.6%

    136 occurrences

  2. 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements18.4%

    94 occurrences

  3. 3.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm16.0%

    82 occurrences

  4. 4.A wheel bearing with excessive play15.0%

    77 occurrences

  5. 5.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution6.3%

    32 occurrences

  6. 6.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn5.3%

    27 occurrences

  7. 7.Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning4.7%

    24 occurrences

  8. 8.A wheel bearing excessively rough4.5%

    23 occurrences

  9. 9.Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play3.9%

    20 occurrences

  10. 10.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake3.7%

    19 occurrences

  11. 11.Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn3.5%

    18 occurrences

  12. 12.Handlebar grip insecure to handlebar3.5%

    18 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Honda NC tests carrying each advisory.

  1. 1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements7.7%

    613 tests

  2. 2.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution4.4%

    350 tests

  3. 3.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm4.3%

    345 tests

  4. 4.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely3.4%

    271 tests

  5. 5.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn3.2%

    258 tests

  6. 6.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn2.1%

    170 tests

  7. 7.Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted1.8%

    143 tests

  8. 8.Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn1.8%

    140 tests

How wear changes the picture

NC pass rate by age and registration year

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202294%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201992%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201688%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201388%

What gets tested

The NC fleet

Average mileage recorded at test
21,943
Test classes
class 2: 7,930 · class 1: 21
Names grouped into this model (37)
  • NC 28
  • NC 30
  • NC 30 VFR 400
  • NC 35
  • NC 38 400
  • NC 700
  • NC 700 D-C
  • NC 700 D-D
  • NC 700 SA-C
  • NC 700 SA-D
  • NC 700 SD-C
  • NC 700 X
  • NC 700 XA-C
  • NC 700 XA-D
  • NC 700 XD-C
  • NC 700 XD-D
  • NC 700X
  • NC 750
  • NC 750 D-H
  • NC 750 D-K
  • NC 750 INTEGRA
  • NC 750 SA-E
  • NC 750 SD-E
  • NC 750 SD-H
  • NC 750 SD-K
  • NC 750 X
  • NC 750 XA-E
  • NC 750 XA-G
  • NC 750 XA-L
  • NC 750 XA-M
  • NC 750 XA-P
  • NC 750 XD-E
  • NC 750 XD-H
  • NC 750 XD-K
  • NC 750 XD-L
  • NC 750 XD-M
  • NC 750 XD-P

Compare within the range

Other Honda motorcycles

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a Honda NC?
92.5% once adjusted for the age and mileage of the motorcycles tested, ranking 2 of 36 motorcycle models, from 7,951 DVSA tests. The average across all motorcycles is 86.5%.
What does a Honda NC fail its MOT on?
"A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely" is recorded in 26.6% of failed Honda NC tests, followed by "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" (18.4%). One failed test often lists several items.
What mileage does a Honda NC usually have at its MOT?
21,943 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.

Analysis built from DVSA data of