Honda CB400F Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda CB400F car check
Is the Honda CB400F reliable? We analysed 5,003 real MOT tests across 921 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda CB400F? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda CB400F 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 stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda CB400F.
Honda CB400F Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda CB400F. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda CB400F MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda CB400F to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda CB400F Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda CB400F fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda CB400F Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda CB400F owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda CB400F MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda CB400F year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 60 | 86.7% | 18,434 | 34,324 | 42,859 |
| 1996 | 55 | 69.1% | 24,618 | 27,172 | 30,170 |
| 1979 | 212 | 87.3% | 15,147 | 36,598 | 52,112 |
| 1978 | 678 | 86.4% | 21,799 | 31,286 | 41,520 |
| 1977 | 1,347 | 84.6% | 19,355 | 29,536 | 42,186 |
| 1976 | 1,583 | 85.8% | 23,626 | 32,478 | 45,246 |
| 1975 | 605 | 86.0% | 19,107 | 29,236 | 40,812 |
How Long Does a Honda CB400F Last?
Based on 921 Honda CB400F vehicles on UK roads.
Honda CB400F Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda CB400F MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Honda CB400F
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.3% MOT pass rate from 212 tests
69.1% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda CB400F is 1979, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.3% across 212 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda CB400F Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB400F THIS CAR | 85.0% | 5,003 | 30,604 mi | 51 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 |
| Skoda Kodiaq SE L Executive TSI S-a | 90.8% | 2,125 | 26,982 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda CB400F outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda CB400F you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Honda CB400FShould you buy a used Honda CB400F?
The Honda CB400F has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.0% across 5,003 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 CB400F are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (51 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (50), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (36). 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.
A typical Honda CB400F owner drives around 234 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 CB400F models stay on UK roads for around 51 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.