Honda NX650 MOT pass rate and common failures
Honda NX650 motorcycles pass the MOT 84% of the time, measured across 225 tests in the DVSA record. A further 7.11% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with not working - it accounts for 55% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check missing and grip insecure to handlebar, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (5.3% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 22,980 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.
Pass rate by age
A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.
| Age at test | Pass rate | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16+ years | 84.33% | 217 |
Why the Honda NX650 fails
Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.
| # | Item | Of failures | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not working | 55% | 11 | |
| 2 | Missing | 25% | 5 | |
| 3 | Grip insecure to handlebar | 20% | 4 | |
| 4 | Excessively binding | 15% | 3 | |
| 5 | Fouling on the fuel tank or bodywork on full lock | 15% | 3 | |
| 6 | Has insufficient reserve travel | 10% | 2 | |
| 7 | Operating incorrectly | 10% | 2 | |
| 8 | Projected beam image obviously incorrect | 10% | 2 | |
| 9 | Too high | 10% | 2 | |
| 10 | Too high and too far to the right | 10% | 2 |
Most common advisories
Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.
| # | Item | Of all tests | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 5.3% | 12 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 2.7% | 6 | |
| 3 | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | 2.2% | 5 | |
| 4 | Excessively binding | 2.2% | 5 | |
| 5 | Has a serious fluid leak | 2.2% | 5 | |
| 6 | Has an excessively worn bush | 2.2% | 5 | |
| 7 | Significantly and obviously worn | 2.2% | 5 | |
| 8 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 1.8% | 4 | |
| 9 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 1.8% | 4 | |
| 10 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 1.8% | 4 |
Honda NX650 for sale
No Honda NX650 in stock at the moment - 74 other Honda bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB 397-750cc · 397-750cc | 5,400 | 89.76% | 19,444 | |
| Honda NC · 741cc | 5,311 | 89.53% | 22,765 | |
| Suzuki GSF600 · 600cc | 4,890 | 80% | 29,308 | |
| Honda CBR600F · 599cc | 4,710 | 85.56% | 30,651 | |
| Kawasaki ZX-6R · 599-636cc | 4,510 | 81.62% | 26,019 | |
| Suzuki SV650 · 646cc | 3,834 | 80.99% | 27,644 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method