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Honda Transalp (1987)

155 real MOT outcomes analysed • 9.9% first-time pass rate

1987 Honda Transalp

CarHunch analysed 155 real MOT records for the 1987 Honda Transalp. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 1987 Honda Transalp is in serious trouble: just 9.3% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%. This is a dramatic reliability red flag, though the good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort—the failures are mostly wear-and-tear issues rather than safety-critical problems.

These 35-year-old bikes show typical mileage for their age at around 33,447 miles on average, but the consistently poor test results (0.14 failures and 0.3 advisories per vehicle) suggest that age and neglect are catching up hard. If you're considering one, budget for a full pre-purchase inspection by a specialist and expect to spend money on cosmetics and mechanical sorting before it'll pass; this isn't a casual buy.

Below average reliability 70.1% below UK average
9.9%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
32,690
typical mileage
19,562–37,109 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.14
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.7 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1987 Honda Transalp

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 Transalp

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

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 154 9.3% 0.14
Other (1%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1987 Honda Transalp 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.

19,562
low mileage
32,690
typical
37,109
high mileage

Half of all 1987 Honda Transalp vehicles fall between 19,562 and 37,109 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.7
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.14
Avg failures per vehicle
0.3
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Honda Transalp

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

  • 66.7%
    Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
  • 28.6%
    Front Brake disc(s) slightly worn
  • 28.6%
    Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 23.8%
    Drive chain slightly loose
  • 23.8%
    Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside
  • 23.8%
    Rear suspension bearing has slight free play
  • 23.8%
    Drive chain slightly loose
  • 19%
    Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit

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

Found a specific Honda Transalp?

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

UK