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Honda Transalp Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Honda Transalp car check

Is the Honda Transalp reliable? We analysed 3,369 real MOT tests across 311 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,369 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
83.6%
Typical Mileage
31,414mi
Annual Mileage
999mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
39yrs

The Honda Transalp is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Transalp.

Honda Transalp Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Honda Transalp. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Honda Transalp MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Honda Transalp to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

84.1%
2011
89%
2010
83.8%
2009
86.6%
2008
81.4%
2007
87.5%
2006
84.2%
2005
91.6%
2004
78.6%
2003
90%
2002
82%
2001
85.6%
2000
87.5%
1999
81.5%
1998
83%
1997
84.7%
1996
83.2%
1995
83.4%
1994
73.4%
1993
74.5%
1992

Honda Transalp Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Honda Transalp fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 42
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 40
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 33
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 24
Drive chain excessively loose 21
wheel bearings have excessive free play 15
Floor brake test indicates a binding brake 13
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside 12

Honda Transalp Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Honda Transalp models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 15

Honda Transalp Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Honda Transalp owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
315 mi/yr
Typical
999 mi/yr
Average
1,912 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,379 mi/yr

Honda Transalp MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda Transalp year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2011 69 84.1% 19,511 33,534 49,818
2010 73 89.0% 11,172 21,343 33,593
2009 117 83.8% 11,605 16,174 29,085
2008 179 86.6% 9,788 21,032 30,242
2007 220 81.4% 17,012 28,945 40,419
2006 64 87.5% 11,593 35,023 56,960
2005 152 84.2% 9,068 16,621 30,666
2004 83 91.6% 10,474 14,046 18,247
2003 112 78.6% 15,652 35,834 50,645
2002 90 90.0% 32,588 42,815 59,626
2001 161 82.0% 15,426 22,118 31,859
2000 90 85.6% 22,741 38,184 46,544
1999 72 87.5% 19,198 27,273 47,549
1998 168 81.5% 20,028 32,240 45,630
1997 112 83.0% 15,469 26,377 49,692
1996 321 84.7% 24,966 33,632 46,541
1995 321 83.2% 25,693 34,470 48,096
1994 428 83.4% 25,746 41,342 56,406
1993 94 73.4% 27,864 35,809 49,372
1992 137 74.5% 33,429 45,871 54,450

How Long Does a Honda Transalp Last?

Based on 311 Honda Transalp vehicles on UK roads.

Average
19.6 years
Median
19.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
39 years

Honda Transalp Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Honda Transalp MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
31,414 mi
75th Percentile
46,816 mi
95th Percentile
72,042 mi
Max Recorded
111,852 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Honda Transalp

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2004

91.6% MOT pass rate from 83 tests

Year to avoid
1993

73.4% MOT pass rate from 94 tests

The best year to buy a used Honda Transalp is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.6% across 83 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Honda Transalp Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Honda Transalp THIS CAR 83.6% 3,369 31,414 mi 39 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
Microcar M-go Sxi CVT 77.5% 1,305 18,052 mi 17 yrs

Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda Transalp outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Honda Transalp you like?

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Should you buy a used Honda Transalp?

The Honda Transalp has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.6% across 3,369 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 Transalp are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (42 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (40), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (33). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Honda Transalp with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Honda Transalp owner drives around 999 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 Transalp models stay on UK roads for around 39 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.

Honda Transalp — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Honda Transalp reliable?
Based on 3,369 MOT tests, the Honda Transalp has a 83.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Honda Transalp?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Honda Transalp do per year?
The typical Honda Transalp does around 999 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Honda Transalp last?
Most Honda Transalp models stay on UK roads for around 39 years based on our analysis of 311 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Honda Transalp?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Honda Transalp?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Honda Transalp is 2004 with a 91.6% pass rate across 83 tests.