What is the MOT pass rate for a Honda CB?

89.8% once adjusted for the age and mileage of the motorcycles tested, ranking 11 of 36 motorcycle models, from 17,443 DVSA tests. The average across all motorcycles is 86.5%.

What does a Honda CB fail its MOT on?

"Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" is recorded in 18.7% of failed Honda CB tests, followed by "A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely" (17.7%). One failed test often lists several items.

What mileage does a Honda CB usually have at its MOT?

16,544 miles on average across every age tested, so a description of the fleet rather than an annual figure. Motorcycle mileages are low and vary enormously with use; a commuter bike and a weekend bike of the same age can differ by a factor of ten.

Motorcycle reliability file

Honda CB MOT pass rate & common failures

From 17,443 recorded MOT tests of the Honda CB, published by DVSA.

Data updated 3 September 2026

Quick answer

The Honda CB passes 89.8% of MOT tests once adjusted for age and mileage, ranking 11 of 36 motorcycle models, against 86.5% for all motorcycles. The most recorded failure is "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements", in 18.7% of failed tests.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

89.8%adjusted · 90.5% raw · rank 11 of 3617,443 tests

3.3 points above the fleet average of 86.5%.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed Honda CB tests in which each item was recorded. One failed test often lists several, so these do not sum to 100%.

1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements18.7%
181 occurrences
2.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely17.7%
172 occurrences
3.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm11.2%
109 occurrences
4.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution8.0%
78 occurrences
5.Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear6.8%
66 occurrences
6.A wheel bearing with excessive play6.4%
62 occurrences
7.Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements5.7%
55 occurrences
8.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn5.5%
53 occurrences
9.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake4.4%
43 occurrences
10.Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning4.0%
39 occurrences
11.A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning3.9%
38 occurrences
12.Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play3.8%
37 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Honda CB tests carrying each advisory.

1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements7.4%
1,284 tests
2.Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted5.6%
980 tests
3.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm3.9%
672 tests
4.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution3.7%
644 tests
5.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn3.2%
552 tests
6.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely2.1%
360 tests
7.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn1.5%
267 tests
8.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements1.4%
250 tests

How wear changes the picture

CB pass rate by age and registration year

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202293%

6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201991%

9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201690%

12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201389%

15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier87%

What gets tested

The CB fleet

Average mileage recorded at test: 16,544
Test classes: class 2: 17,206 · class 1: 237

Names grouped into this model (155)

CB 1
CB 100 R9
CB 1000
CB 1000 R
CB 1000 R-9
CB 1000 R-A
CB 1000 R-B
CB 1000 R-C
CB 1000 R-D
CB 1000 R9
CB 1000 RA
CB 1000 RA-9
CB 1000 RA-A
CB 1000 RA-B
CB 1000 RA-C
CB 1000 RA-D
CB 1000 RA-K
CB 1000 RA-L
CB 1000 RA-M
CB 1000 RA-P
CB 1000 RA9
CB 1000 RB
CB 1000 SF
CB 1000 SUPER FOUR
CB 1100
CB 1100 A-D
CB 1100 CA-K
CB 1100 NA-K
CB 125
CB 125 F
CB 125 TD-C
CB 125F
CB 125R
CB 125R CBF
CB 125RS
CB 125T
CB 1300
CB 1300 A-
CB 1300 A-5
CB 1300 A-7
CB 1300 A-8
CB 1300 A-9
CB 1300 COMBINATION
CB 1300 F-3
CB 1300 SA
CB 1300 SA-5
CB 1300 SA-7
CB 1300 SA-8
CB 1300 SA-9
CB 1300 SA-A
CB 1300 SF
CB 1300 X4
CB 223 S
CB 250
CB 350 S-G
CB 400
CB 400 F
CB 400 FOUR
CB 400 SF
CB 400 SF-V
CB 400 SFV
CB 400 SS
CB 400 SS-E
CB 400 SSE
CB 400 SUPER FOUR
CB 400T
CB 450
CB 500
CB 500 F
CB 500 F-A
CB 500 FA
CB 500 FA-H
CB 500 FA-K
CB 500 FA-M
CB 500 FA-N
CB 500 FA-R
CB 500 S
CB 500 X
CB 500 XA-D
CB 500 XA-E
CB 500 XA-F
CB 500 XA-H
CB 500 XA-K
CB 500 XA-M
CB 500 XA-N
CB 500 XA-R
CB 500F
CB 500X
CB 550
CB 600
CB 600 F
CB 600 F HORN E
CB 600 F-
CB 600 F-2
CB 600 F-3
CB 600 F-3-9
CB 600 F-3-A
CB 600 F-4
CB 600 F-6
CB 600 F-7
CB 600 F-8
CB 600 F-9
CB 600 F-A
CB 600 F-A9
CB 600 F-B
CB 600 F-C
CB 600 F2-02
CB 600 F5
CB 600 F6
CB 600 FA
CB 600 FA - 8
CB 600 FA-3-9
CB 600 FA-3-A
CB 600 FA-7
CB 600 FA-8
CB 600 FA-9
CB 600 FA-A
CB 600 FA-B
CB 600 FA-C
CB 600 FA-D
CB 600 FS
CB 600 FS F2
CB 600 HORNET
CB 600 RR7
CB 600S
CB 650
CB 650 CUSTOM
CB 650 F
CB 650 FA-E
CB 650 FA-G
CB 650 RA-K
CB 650 RA-M
CB 650 RA-N
CB 650 RA-P
CB 650 SC
CB 650F
CB 750
CB 750 A-P
CB 750 CUSTOM
CB 750 F2
CB 750 F2N
CB 750 NIGHTHAWK
CB 900
CB 900 F-5
CB 900 F-7
CB 900 HORNET
CB 900 R
CB 900 RR
CB 900F
CB F1000
CB R1000
CB R600
CB SEVEN FIFTY
CB SUPER FOUR
CB X11 SF

Compare within the range

Other Honda motorcycles

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a Honda CB?: 89.8% once adjusted for the age and mileage of the motorcycles tested, ranking 11 of 36 motorcycle models, from 17,443 DVSA tests. The average across all motorcycles is 86.5%.
What does a Honda CB fail its MOT on?: "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" is recorded in 18.7% of failed Honda CB tests, followed by "A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely" (17.7%). One failed test often lists several items.
What mileage does a Honda CB usually have at its MOT?: 16,544 miles on average across every age tested, so a description of the fleet rather than an annual figure. Motorcycle mileages are low and vary enormously with use; a commuter bike and a weekend bike of the same age can differ by a factor of ten.

Analysis built from DVSA data of 3 September 2026