The MOT Files

Motorcycle reliability file

Honda CBF MOT pass rate & common failures

From 12,844 recorded MOT tests of the Honda CBF, published by DVSA.

Data updated

Quick answer

The Honda CBF passes 82.5% of MOT tests once adjusted for age and mileage, ranking 32 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 17.9% of failed tests.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

82.5%adjusted · 81.9% raw · rank 32 of 3612,844 tests

4.0 points below the fleet average of 86.5%.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

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

  1. 1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements17.9%

    266 occurrences

  2. 2.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn12.6%

    187 occurrences

  3. 3.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm9.3%

    138 occurrences

  4. 4.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely8.6%

    127 occurrences

  5. 5.Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play8.4%

    124 occurrences

  6. 6.Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning6.7%

    100 occurrences

  7. 7.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn6.1%

    90 occurrences

  8. 8.A footrest missing or insecure5.7%

    84 occurrences

  9. 9.Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear5.4%

    80 occurrences

  10. 10.A stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released5.4%

    80 occurrences

  11. 11.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake5.3%

    78 occurrences

  12. 12.A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning4.8%

    71 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Honda CBF tests carrying each advisory.

  1. 1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements7.5%

    959 tests

  2. 2.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn5.7%

    727 tests

  3. 3.Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play4.4%

    559 tests

  4. 4.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm4.3%

    551 tests

  5. 5.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn3.7%

    476 tests

  6. 6.Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted3.3%

    426 tests

  7. 7.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution2.7%

    348 tests

  8. 8.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely2.2%

    280 tests

How wear changes the picture

CBF pass rate by age and registration year

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202285%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201982%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201678%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201376%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier83%

What gets tested

The CBF fleet

Average mileage recorded at test
17,644
Test classes
class 1: 7,824 · class 2: 5,020
Names grouped into this model (63)
  • CBF 1000
  • CBF 1000 - 7
  • CBF 1000 A - 7
  • CBF 1000 A-6
  • CBF 1000 A-7
  • CBF 1000 A-8
  • CBF 1000 A-9
  • CBF 1000 A-A
  • CBF 1000 A-Z
  • CBF 1000 A6
  • CBF 1000 A7
  • CBF 1000 A8
  • CBF 1000 A9
  • CBF 1000 AT-8
  • CBF 1000 AT-9
  • CBF 1000 F
  • CBF 1000 FA
  • CBF 1000 FA-A
  • CBF 1000 FA-B
  • CBF 1000 FA-C
  • CBF 1000 R7
  • CBF 1000 T-A
  • CBF 1000 TA
  • CBF 125
  • CBF 125 M-9
  • CBF 125 M-A
  • CBF 125 M-B
  • CBF 125 M-D
  • CBF 125 M-M
  • CBF 125 M/A
  • CBF 125 M9
  • CBF 125 MA
  • CBF 125 MB
  • CBF 125 NA-J
  • CBF 125 NA-M
  • CBF 125 NA-P
  • CBF 250
  • CBF 300 NA-K
  • CBF 300 NA-N
  • CBF 500
  • CBF 500 A-
  • CBF 500 A-4
  • CBF 500 A-6
  • CBF 600
  • CBF 600 HORNET
  • CBF 600 N-
  • CBF 600 N-4
  • CBF 600 N-5
  • CBF 600 N-6
  • CBF 600 N-8
  • CBF 600 N-9
  • CBF 600 N-A
  • CBF 600 NA-4
  • CBF 600 NA-6
  • CBF 600 S-4
  • CBF 600 SA
  • CBF 600 SA A
  • CBF 600 SA-4
  • CBF 600 SA-5
  • CBF 600 SA-6
  • CBF 600 SA-8
  • CBF 600 SA-A
  • CBF 600N

Compare within the range

Other Honda motorcycles

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a Honda CBF?
82.5% once adjusted for the age and mileage of the motorcycles tested, ranking 32 of 36 motorcycle models, from 12,844 DVSA tests. The average across all motorcycles is 86.5%.
What does a Honda CBF fail its MOT on?
"Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" is recorded in 17.9% of failed Honda CBF tests, followed by "A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn" (12.6%). One failed test often lists several items.
What mileage does a Honda CBF usually have at its MOT?
17,644 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