Honda Cx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda Cx car check
Is the Honda Cx reliable? We analysed 1,004 real MOT tests across 139 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda Cx? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda Cx is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, motorcycle structure excessively corroded and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Cx.
Honda Cx Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda Cx. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda Cx MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda Cx to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda Cx Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda Cx fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda Cx Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda Cx owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda Cx MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda Cx year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 184 | 79.9% | 28,028 | 39,084 | 53,792 |
| 1981 | 209 | 85.2% | 11,617 | 36,550 | 56,483 |
| 1980 | 271 | 84.1% | 31,827 | 45,530 | 63,893 |
| 1979 | 125 | 85.6% | 27,585 | 42,278 | 51,711 |
| 1978 | 111 | 87.4% | 23,920 | 33,064 | 46,018 |
How Long Does a Honda Cx Last?
Based on 139 Honda Cx vehicles on UK roads.
Honda Cx Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda Cx 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 Cx
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.4% MOT pass rate from 111 tests
79.9% MOT pass rate from 184 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda Cx is 1978, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.4% across 111 tests. The 1982 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda Cx Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Cx THIS CAR | 84.3% | 1,004 | 39,592 mi | 48 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 |
| Ktm 400EXC | 79.7% | 995 | 3,388 mi | 25 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda Cx outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda Cx 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 CxShould you buy a used Honda Cx?
The Honda Cx has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.3% across 1,004 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 Cx are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (15 recorded failures), motorcycle structure excessively corroded (8), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (8). 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 Cx owner drives around 335 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 Cx models stay on UK roads for around 48 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.