Honda Mt50s J (1989)
1989 Honda Mt50s J
CarHunch analysed 665 real MOT records for the 1989 Honda Mt50s J. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1989 Honda MT50S-J has a 70% first-time MOT pass rate, which is notably below the UK average of 80%, suggesting these 35-year-old machines need closer pre-test attention than most vehicles. The good news is that dangerous defects are extremely rare at just 0.1% of the cohort, so safety issues are unlikely to be a concern when one does pass.
These bikes show modest mileage for their age (median 20,977 miles), indicating most have had lighter use rather than being thrashed commuters. Zero average failures and advisories per vehicle tells you that when these pass, they tend to pass cleanly—so if you find one with a recent clean MOT, it's probably in solid working order; focus your inspection on finding examples that have already cleared their test rather than betting on a borderline machine.
What to check before buying a 1989 Honda Mt50s J
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 Mt50s J
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1989 Honda Mt50s J 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.
Half of all 1989 Honda Mt50s J vehicles fall between 12,501 and 23,751 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Honda Mt50s J
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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20%
Drive chain excessively loose
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20%
Rear wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing
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20%
Rear Drive chain sprocket worn to excess
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20%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20%
Rear Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel
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20%
Stop lamp affected by the operation of another lamp
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10%
Nearside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars.
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10%
Drive chain slightly loose
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Mt50s J?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.