Honda SH-50-K Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda SH-50-K car check
Is the Honda SH-50-K reliable? We analysed 519 real MOT tests across 120 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda SH-50-K? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda SH-50-K is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include steering headbearing has excessive free play, brake lever has inadequate reserve travel and shock absorber has inadequate damping effect.. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda SH-50-K.
Honda SH-50-K Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda SH-50-K. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda SH-50-K MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda SH-50-K to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda SH-50-K Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda SH-50-K fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda SH-50-K Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda SH-50-K owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda SH-50-K MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda SH-50-K year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 53 | 81.1% | 7,130 | 8,148 | 8,648 |
| 1996 | 148 | 85.8% | 6,081 | 11,120 | 12,770 |
| 1992 | 55 | 83.6% | 12,258 | 17,721 | 20,556 |
| 1990 | 151 | 76.8% | 12,247 | 15,874 | 18,604 |
How Long Does a Honda SH-50-K Last?
Based on 120 Honda SH-50-K vehicles on UK roads.
Honda SH-50-K Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda SH-50-K 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 SH-50-K
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.8% MOT pass rate from 148 tests
76.8% MOT pass rate from 151 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda SH-50-K is 1996, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.8% across 148 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda SH-50-K Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda SH-50-K THIS CAR | 82.3% | 519 | 12,539 mi | 36 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 |
| BMW 330D SE | 71.6% | 500 | 140,432 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda SH-50-K outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda SH-50-K 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 SH-50-KShould you buy a used Honda SH-50-K?
The Honda SH-50-K has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.3% across 519 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 SH-50-K are steering headbearing has excessive free play (10 recorded failures), brake lever has inadequate reserve travel (7), 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 SH-50-K owner drives around 392 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 SH-50-K models stay on UK roads for around 36 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.