Honda ST MOT pass rate and common failures

Honda ST motorcycles pass the MOT 93.99% of the time, measured across 233 tests in the DVSA record. A further 2.15% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Better than average: 7.1 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 93.99% 219 of 233

Fixed at the station 2.15% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 31,517 miles

Average age at test 11.92 years old

Engine 1,183cc MOT class 1 and 2

For sale now 0 Honda ST adverts

What to check before the MOT

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

Start with has a serious fluid leak - it accounts for 44.4% of failed tests on this model.
Then check tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and contaminated, the next two most common reasons.
The most common advisory is less than 1.0 mm thick (7.7% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 31,517 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	93.33%		165
11-15 years	95.24%		42

Why the Honda ST 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	Has a serious fluid leak	44.4%	4
2	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	33.3%	3
3	Contaminated	22.2%	2
4	Less than 1.0 mm thick	22.2%	2
5	Not working	22.2%	2
6	Switch with a delay in operation	22.2%	2
7	Excessively binding	11.1%	1
8	Excessively stiff or notchy	11.1%	1
9	Has excessive wear or free play	11.1%	1
10	Seriously damaged	11.1%	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	Less than 1.0 mm thick	7.7%	18
2	Has a serious fluid leak	6.4%	15
3	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	6.4%	15
4	Excessively binding	4.7%	11
5	Tread not clearly visible	3.9%	9
6	Excessively stiff or notchy	2.1%	5
7	Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort	2.1%	5
8	Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced	0.9%	2
9	In such a condition that it is seriously weakened	0.9%	2
10	Significantly and obviously worn	0.9%	2

Honda ST for sale

No Honda ST in stock at the moment - 73 other Honda bikes are advertised.

Used Honda ST Used Honda All Honda Honda MOT statistics

Similar bikes compared

Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.

Model	Tests	Pass rate	Avg mileage
Triumph TIGER · 969cc	16,144	91.27%	22,934
Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc	12,456	90.8%	12,824
BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc	9,796	91.92%	40,594
BMW R1200 · 1,170cc	9,521	94.43%	28,830
BMW S 1000 · 999cc	8,445	91.96%	15,282
BMW R1250 · 1,254cc	6,764	96.17%	17,373

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

Honda ST MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda ST?+

93.99% of Honda ST MOT tests end in a pass, based on 233 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Honda ST?+

Has a serious fluid leak, which appears in 44.4% of failed tests on this model.

Does the Honda ST get harder to pass as it ages?+

At 11-15 years old the pass rate is 95.24%, against 93.33% for examples 6-10 years old.

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.