Honda SFX50 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda SFX50 car check
Is the Honda SFX50 reliable? We analysed 1,108 real MOT tests across 287 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda SFX50? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda SFX50 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, tyre tread not clearly visible and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda SFX50.
Honda SFX50 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda SFX50. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda SFX50 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda SFX50 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda SFX50 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda SFX50 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda SFX50 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda SFX50 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda SFX50 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda SFX50 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 201 | 82.1% | 4,762 | 8,372 | 13,448 |
| 2002 | 123 | 80.5% | 2,332 | 5,818 | 9,678 |
| 2001 | 139 | 71.2% | 4,863 | 7,602 | 10,271 |
| 2000 | 230 | 80.0% | 4,707 | 8,038 | 12,157 |
| 1999 | 138 | 81.2% | 6,452 | 9,460 | 15,444 |
| 1998 | 136 | 83.1% | 5,629 | 10,055 | 15,380 |
| 1997 | 74 | 71.6% | 7,818 | 13,382 | 16,160 |
How Long Does a Honda SFX50 Last?
Based on 287 Honda SFX50 vehicles on UK roads.
Honda SFX50 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda SFX50 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 SFX50
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.1% MOT pass rate from 136 tests
71.2% MOT pass rate from 139 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda SFX50 is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.1% across 136 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda SFX50 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda SFX50 THIS CAR | 79.2% | 1,108 | 8,778 mi | 29 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 |
| Moto Guzzi Nevada | 87.7% | 1,034 | 10,998 mi | 32 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda SFX50 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda SFX50 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 SFX50Should you buy a used Honda SFX50?
The Honda SFX50 has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.2% across 1,108 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 SFX50 are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (27 recorded failures), tyre tread not clearly visible (27), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (23). 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 SFX50 owner drives around 834 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 SFX50 models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.