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Honda CB1100R Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Honda CB1100R car check

Is the Honda CB1100R reliable? We analysed 772 real MOT tests across 159 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 772 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
88.7%
Typical Mileage
26,084mi
Annual Mileage
420mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
45yrs

The Honda CB1100R is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda CB1100R.

Honda CB1100R Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Honda CB1100R. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Honda CB1100R MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Honda CB1100R to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

92.9%
1983
88.7%
1982
88.4%
1981

Honda CB1100R Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Honda CB1100R fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 9
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 6
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 4
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 3
Tyre valve stem damaged which could cause sudden tyre deflation 3
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 3
Drive chain excessively loose 2

Honda CB1100R Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Honda CB1100R models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre has ply or cord exposed 2
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 2

Honda CB1100R Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Honda CB1100R owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
107 mi/yr
Typical
420 mi/yr
Average
1,087 mi/yr
Heavy usage
943 mi/yr

Honda CB1100R MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda CB1100R year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1983 225 92.9% 11,957 21,978 31,967
1982 186 88.7% 12,947 27,982 41,729
1981 95 88.4% 15,304 26,198 29,016

How Long Does a Honda CB1100R Last?

Based on 159 Honda CB1100R vehicles on UK roads.

Average
27.0 years
Median
31.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
45 years

Honda CB1100R Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Honda CB1100R MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
26,084 mi
75th Percentile
34,948 mi
95th Percentile
57,165 mi
Max Recorded
206,768 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Honda CB1100R

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

Best year
1983

92.9% MOT pass rate from 225 tests

Year to avoid
1981

88.4% MOT pass rate from 95 tests

The best year to buy a used Honda CB1100R is 1983, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.9% across 225 tests. The 1981 model year has the lowest pass rate at 88.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Honda CB1100R Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Honda CB1100R THIS CAR 88.7% 772 26,084 mi 45 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
Toyota Landcruiser LC4 D-4D A 77.9% 461 159,683 mi — yrs

Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda CB1100R outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Honda CB1100R you like?

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Should you buy a used Honda CB1100R?

The Honda CB1100R has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.7% across 772 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 CB1100R are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (9 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (6), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (4). 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 has ply or cord exposed. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Honda CB1100R 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 CB1100R owner drives around 420 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 CB1100R models stay on UK roads for around 45 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 CB1100R — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Honda CB1100R reliable?
Based on 772 MOT tests, the Honda CB1100R has a 88.7% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Honda CB1100R?
The most common MOT failures are roller brake test indicates a binding brake, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Honda CB1100R do per year?
The typical Honda CB1100R does around 420 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Honda CB1100R last?
Most Honda CB1100R models stay on UK roads for around 45 years based on our analysis of 159 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Honda CB1100R?
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 CB1100R?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Honda CB1100R is 1983 with a 92.9% pass rate across 225 tests.