Honda Sh50 (1998)
1998 Honda Sh50
CarHunch analysed 894 real MOT records for the 1998 Honda Sh50. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Honda SH50 is a moped, not a car, and it fails MOT at a catastrophic rate of just 3.3% pass on first attempt versus the 80% UK average—this is genuinely concerning and suggests either severe mechanical deterioration or widespread rider neglect across the sample. The dangerous defect rate of 0.3% is mercifully low, so safety isn't the primary issue; instead, these machines simply aren't being maintained.
At 13,085 miles median mileage for a 26-year-old machine, these SH50s have genuinely low use, yet they're still falling apart when tested. The near-total absence of failures and advisories per vehicle (0.03 and 0.1 respectively) tells you that when these mopeds do get looked at, they're usually scrap—beyond economical repair rather than fixable problems. If you're considering one, budget for a full professional inspection and expect to walk away from most examples; only buy if you can see a recent full service history.
What to check before buying a 1998 Honda Sh50
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 Sh50
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Honda Sh50 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 1998 Honda Sh50 vehicles fall between 7,542 and 21,673 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Honda Sh50
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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19.5%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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9.8%
Rear Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel
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8.5%
Steering headbearing has slight free play
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8.5%
Offside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil
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8.5%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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8.5%
Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil
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7.3%
Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies
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7.3%
Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Sh50?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.