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Honda CB1000R Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Honda CB1000R car check

Is the Honda CB1000R reliable? We analysed 2,499 real MOT tests across 221 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,499 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
88.0%
Typical Mileage
12,546mi
Annual Mileage
1,028mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
18yrs

The Honda CB1000R is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda CB1000R.

Honda CB1000R Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Honda CB1000R. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Honda CB1000R MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Honda CB1000R to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

78.6%
2016
89.4%
2012
89.2%
2011
85.5%
2010
88.1%
2009
89.5%
2008

Honda CB1000R Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Honda CB1000R fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 6
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 6
reflector on motorcycle missing 5

Honda CB1000R Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Honda CB1000R models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 11
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 8

Honda CB1000R Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Honda CB1000R owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
450 mi/yr
Typical
1,028 mi/yr
Average
1,602 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,247 mi/yr

Honda CB1000R MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda CB1000R year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2016 56 78.6% 5,272 9,070 14,356
2012 161 89.4% 6,204 10,069 17,825
2011 372 89.2% 7,438 12,307 18,960
2010 580 85.5% 7,885 13,570 21,658
2009 688 88.1% 7,500 11,852 20,698
2008 503 89.5% 9,046 15,267 22,874

How Long Does a Honda CB1000R Last?

Based on 221 Honda CB1000R vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.6 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
18 years

Honda CB1000R Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Honda CB1000R MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
12,546 mi
75th Percentile
20,704 mi
95th Percentile
36,239 mi
Max Recorded
84,771 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Honda CB1000R

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2008

89.5% MOT pass rate from 503 tests

Year to avoid
2016

78.6% MOT pass rate from 56 tests

The best year to buy a used Honda CB1000R is 2008, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.5% across 503 tests. The 2016 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Honda CB1000R Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Honda CB1000R THIS CAR 88.0% 2,499 12,546 mi 18 yrs
Honda Civic 73.7% 9,391,580 74,987 mi 34 yrs
Honda Jazz 81% 5,740,892 48,635 mi 24 yrs
Honda Cr-v 78.5% 4,177,643 80,499 mi 29 yrs
Dacia Sandero Stepway Ambiance DCI 78.1% 4,303 66,168 mi — yrs

Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda CB1000R outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Honda CB1000R?

The Honda CB1000R has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.0% across 2,499 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Honda CB1000R are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (6 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (6), and reflector on motorcycle missing (5). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Honda CB1000R with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Honda CB1000R owner drives around 1,028 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Honda CB1000R models stay on UK roads for around 18 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Honda CB1000R — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Honda CB1000R reliable?
Based on 2,499 MOT tests, the Honda CB1000R has a 88.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Honda CB1000R?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and reflector on motorcycle missing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Honda CB1000R do per year?
The typical Honda CB1000R does around 1,028 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Honda CB1000R last?
Most Honda CB1000R models stay on UK roads for around 18 years based on our analysis of 221 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Honda CB1000R?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Honda CB1000R?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Honda CB1000R is 2008 with a 89.5% pass rate across 503 tests.