Honda SH 279-300cc MOT pass rate and common failures

Honda SH 279-300cc motorcycles pass the MOT 93.78% of the time, measured across 450 tests in the DVSA record. A further 3.56% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Calculated from DVSA records for Honda SH, 279-300cc.

Better than average: 6.9 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.
Pass rate 93.78% 422 of 450
Fixed at the station 3.56% passed after an on-the-spot repair
Average mileage at test 15,414 miles
Average age at test 8.2 years old
Engine 279cc MOT class 1 and 2
For sale now 0 Honda SH 279-300cc adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

  • Start with inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps - it accounts for 75% of failed tests on this model.
  • Then check tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and not working, the next two most common reasons.
  • The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (4.9% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
  • Average recorded mileage at test is 15,414 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
6-10 years 93.7% 413

Why the Honda SH 279-300cc 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 Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps 75% 9
2 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 41.7% 5
3 Not working 33.3% 4
4 Remains on when the brakes are released 33.3% 4
5 Excessively binding 16.7% 2
6 Seriously damaged 16.7% 2
7 Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) 8.3% 1
8 Grip insecure to handlebar 8.3% 1
9 Has excessive play 8.3% 1
10 Has excessive wear or free play 8.3% 1

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 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 4.9% 22
2 Less than 1.0 mm thick 3.3% 15
3 Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 1.3% 6
4 Excessively stiff or notchy 1.1% 5
5 In such a condition that it is seriously weakened 1.1% 5
6 Significantly and obviously worn 1.1% 5
7 Has a serious fluid leak 0.7% 3
8 Excessively binding 0.4% 2
9 Is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied 0.4% 2
10 Mudguard insecure 0.4% 2

Honda SH 279-300cc for sale

No Honda SH 279-300cc 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
Piaggio VESPA GTS · 240-300cc 4,305 92.15% 9,875
Honda CRF 220-250cc · 220-250cc 2,452 89.76% 7,549
Royal Enfield METEOR 350 · 349cc 2,133 93.95% 4,543
Honda NSS 250-297cc · 250-297cc 1,397 90.34% 17,407
Honda CRF 300 LA-M · 286cc 1,297 88.43% 3,963
BMW G310 · 313cc 1,129 90.79% 7,243

Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method

Honda SH 279-300cc MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda SH 279-300cc?+
93.78% of Honda SH 279-300cc MOT tests end in a pass, based on 450 tests in the DVSA dataset.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Honda SH 279-300cc?+
Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, which appears in 75% of failed tests on this model.
Where does this data come from?+
From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.
Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+
Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.
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