Honda C50la G (1987)

712 real MOT outcomes analysed • 2% first-time pass rate

1987 Honda C50la G

CarHunch analysed 712 real MOT records for the 1987 Honda C50la G. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This is a 1987 Honda moped, not a car, and the 2% first-time pass rate reflects the reality that these 37-year-old machines are almost universally in poor MOT condition—nowhere near the UK's 80% average. Only 0.4% of the 712 vehicles tested ever showed a dangerous defect, which is genuinely reassuring given their age.

The median mileage of 16,913 is reasonable for a vintage moped kept in light use, and the near-zero failure and advisory counts simply mean that when these bikes do fail, it's scattered across different systems rather than concentrated problems. If you're buying one, expect to budget for a full recommissioning: the statistics suggest most will need several repairs to pass, but the low dangerous-defect rate means you're not walking into a death trap.

Below average reliability 78% below UK average
2%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
16,913
typical mileage
12,259–26,716 middle half
0.4%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.02
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1987 Honda C50la G

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Honda C50la G

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (100%) 710 1.8% 0.02
Other (0%) 2 83.3% 0.5

Mileage Distribution

Most 1987 Honda C50la G vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

12,259
low mileage
16,913
typical
26,716
high mileage

Half of all 1987 Honda C50la G vehicles fall between 12,259 and 26,716 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.02
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Honda C50la G

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 21.1%
    Chain guard missing
  • 15.8%
    Headlamp aim too high
  • 15.8%
    Rear wheel bearings have slight free play
  • 15.8%
    Front wheel bearings have slight free play
  • 10.5%
    Front Wheel has a slightly distorted bead rim.
  • 10.5%
    Front Wheel spoke slightly corroded.
  • 10.5%
    Rear Wheel spoke slightly corroded.
  • 10.5%
    Front suspension assembly has slight free play in the pivot bearings.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Honda C50la G?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Honda C50la G:

1986 1988