Honda Cub Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda Cub car check
Is the Honda Cub reliable? We analysed 774 real MOT tests across 114 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda Cub? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda Cub is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and shock absorber has inadequate damping effect.. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Cub.
Honda Cub Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda Cub. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda Cub MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda Cub to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda Cub Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda Cub fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda Cub Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda Cub owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda Cub MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda Cub year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 312 | 85.3% | 12,986 | 19,028 | 27,014 |
| 1995 | 126 | 82.5% | 8,074 | 13,974 | 20,642 |
| 1994 | 102 | 88.2% | 5,979 | 13,138 | 19,007 |
How Long Does a Honda Cub Last?
Based on 114 Honda Cub vehicles on UK roads.
Honda Cub Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda Cub MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Honda Cub
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.2% MOT pass rate from 102 tests
82.5% MOT pass rate from 126 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda Cub is 1994, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.2% across 102 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda Cub Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Cub THIS CAR | 85.8% | 774 | 16,670 mi | 32 yrs |
| Honda Civic | 73.7% | 9,391,580 | 74,987 mi | 34 yrs |
| Honda Jazz | 81% | 5,740,892 | 48,635 mi | 24 yrs |
| Honda Cr-v | 78.5% | 4,177,643 | 80,499 mi | 29 yrs |
| Audi Q2 Technik 30 TDI S-a | 89.1% | 948 | 33,440 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda Cub outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda Cub you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Honda CubShould you buy a used Honda Cub?
The Honda Cub has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.8% across 774 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Honda Cub are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (8 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (6), and shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. (6). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Honda Cub owner drives around 300 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Honda Cub models stay on UK roads for around 32 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.