Two-Wheeler Brands with Least Complaints – Survey Results

In a market saturated with options, knowing which two-wheeler brands face the fewest maintenance complaints is a powerful purchasing edge. The 2025 India Two-Wheeler Initial Quality Study (2WIQS) by J.D. Power delivers precisely that insight—based on responses from 6,503 owners across 42 cities. The study ranks brands by “problems per 100 vehicles (PP100)”, where a lower score equates to better initial quality. Royal Enfield leads the pack with the lowest PP100, positioning it as the brand with the least maintenance complaints.

Reliability Rankings & Survey Methodology

The 2025 2WIQS assesses eight categories (for ICE two-wheelers)—engine, brakes, lights/electrical, fit & finish, transmission, ride & handling, controls, gauges. For EVs, battery, charging, and performance replace engine and transmission. Royal Enfield scored 68 PP100, the lowest in the survey, making it the top-ranked brand in terms of fewer maintenance complaints. The next best performer was TVS Motor at 75 PP100, followed by Bajaj Auto at 78 PP100.

In contrast, electric scooters suffer more complaints—averaging 98 PP100—nearly double that of petrol two-wheelers (53 PP100). Common issues include brakes, electricals, and fit & finish.

Standout Models with Low Problem Rates

Some models within these brands show superior reliability:

• TVS Jupiter (economy scooter segment) – 75 PP100
• Honda Dio 125 (executive scooter segment) – 50 PP100
• TVS Radeon (economy motorcycle) – 54 PP100
• Hero Super Splendor / XTEC & Honda Shine 125 (executive motorcycle) – 72 PP100
• TVS Apache RTR 160 2V (upper executive motorcycle) – 53 PP100
• Bajaj Chetak (EV scooter) – 45 PP100 among electric scooters

These figures reveal that even within leading brands, specific models outperform peers in maintenance reliability.

Broader Brand & Global Comparisons

Outside India, long-standing surveys (like those from Consumer Reports) have traditionally flagged Japanese brands — Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki — as among the most reliable globally. That said, those broader surveys focus on breakdown rates over multi-year periods rather than short-term quality complaints. Some brand ranking lists (such as SlashGear) place Honda high in overall build consistency and reliability.

That said, the J.D. Power data is grounded in fresh owner feedback for new two-wheelers, which gives it strong relevance for current buyers seeking brands with minimal initial maintenance problems.

Conclusion

If your priority is owning a two-wheeler with the least maintenance complaints, the 2025 J.D. Power 2WIQS clearly points you toward Royal Enfield as the brand with the lowest average problems per 100 vehicles. TVS Motor and Bajaj Auto trail closely behind. On a model level, TVS Jupiter, TVS Radeon, and TVS Apache RTR 160 2V stand out in their respective segments, while Bajaj Chetak leads among electric scooters.

Of course, long-term reliability also depends on servicing practices, spare-parts availability, and riding conditions. But as a data-driven compass, this survey provides robust guidance: choose these top brands and models if minimizing maintenance complaints is your primary goal.