Honda CB400N Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda CB400N car check
Is the Honda CB400N reliable? We analysed 6,477 real MOT tests across 1,063 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda CB400N? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda CB400N is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda CB400N.
Honda CB400N Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda CB400N. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda CB400N MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda CB400N to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda CB400N Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda CB400N fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda CB400N Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda CB400N owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda CB400N MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda CB400N year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 92 | 83.7% | 26,343 | 29,374 | 48,003 |
| 2001 | 56 | 73.2% | 31,152 | 46,388 | 61,160 |
| 1999 | 60 | 71.7% | 22,518 | 37,020 | 48,877 |
| 1998 | 69 | 87.0% | 25,977 | 38,750 | 55,377 |
| 1997 | 204 | 80.9% | 31,194 | 36,162 | 62,239 |
| 1993 | 61 | 83.6% | 24,732 | 35,266 | 44,002 |
| 1990 | 54 | 81.5% | 19,772 | 26,541 | 29,799 |
| 1985 | 115 | 78.3% | 24,436 | 33,592 | 49,154 |
| 1984 | 440 | 82.7% | 21,154 | 29,807 | 44,432 |
| 1983 | 769 | 83.5% | 25,032 | 36,026 | 43,577 |
| 1982 | 689 | 79.0% | 23,979 | 35,764 | 44,310 |
| 1981 | 821 | 79.2% | 20,270 | 32,088 | 39,874 |
| 1980 | 1,231 | 81.8% | 17,374 | 26,425 | 35,388 |
| 1979 | 678 | 80.8% | 15,054 | 25,644 | 32,508 |
| 1978 | 430 | 80.9% | 19,324 | 32,673 | 42,559 |
| 1977 | 177 | 86.4% | 17,464 | 29,976 | 38,590 |
| 1976 | 79 | 88.6% | 17,973 | 25,433 | 52,060 |
How Long Does a Honda CB400N Last?
Based on 1,063 Honda CB400N vehicles on UK roads.
Honda CB400N Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda CB400N 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 CB400N
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.6% MOT pass rate from 79 tests
71.7% MOT pass rate from 60 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda CB400N is 1976, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.6% across 79 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda CB400N Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB400N THIS CAR | 81.4% | 6,477 | 30,884 mi | 50 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 |
| Rolls Royce Silver Shadow 2 | 78.8% | 3,204 | 79,950 mi | 49 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda CB400N outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda CB400N 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 CB400NShould you buy a used Honda CB400N?
The Honda CB400N has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.4% across 6,477 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 CB400N are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (107 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (63), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (57). 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 CB400N owner drives around 317 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 CB400N models stay on UK roads for around 50 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.