Honda Nt50 H (1988)
1988 Honda Nt50 H
CarHunch analysed 725 real MOT records for the 1988 Honda Nt50 H. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1988 Honda NT50-H has a first-time pass rate of just 40%, significantly below the UK average of 80%, indicating these nearly four-decade-old machines face meaningful compliance hurdles at MOT. Only 1 in 10 have ever recorded a dangerous defect, so safety issues are relatively rare, but the low pass rate reflects cumulative wear across multiple systems.
With a median mileage of just 3,669 miles, these are lightly-used survivors—likely stored or ridden sparingly—yet still struggle to pass, suggesting age and corrosion rather than heavy use is the problem. The negligible failure count (0.01 per vehicle) and modest advisory rate (0.1 per vehicle) mean the issues aren't catastrophic, but if you're considering one, budget for a pre-purchase inspection by someone familiar with 1980s Honda motorcycles to identify what's keeping them off the road.
What to check before buying a 1988 Honda Nt50 H
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 Nt50 H
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 724 | 0.3% | 0.01 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 Honda Nt50 H 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 1988 Honda Nt50 H vehicles fall between 3,669 and 5,274 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Honda Nt50 H
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
160%
Rear shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect
-
100%
Front suspension has a slightly reduced damping effect
-
80%
Rear suspension has slightly reduced damping effect.
-
80%
Headlamp aim too high
-
80%
Steering headbearing slightly stiff or notchy
-
60%
Rear tyre shows signs of past fouling on o/s side wall.
-
40%
Exhaust slightly deteriorated
-
40%
Front suspension assembly has slight free play between the sliding members
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Nt50 H?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.