Honda CB650 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda CB650 car check
Is the Honda CB650 reliable? We analysed 3,106 real MOT tests across 554 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda CB650? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda CB650 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 tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda CB650.
Honda CB650 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda CB650. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda CB650 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda CB650 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda CB650 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda CB650 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda CB650 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda CB650 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda CB650 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda CB650 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 75 | 82.7% | 24,469 | 36,758 | 45,878 |
| 1997 | 62 | 91.9% | 34,558 | 38,226 | 41,990 |
| 1996 | 53 | 77.4% | 24,765 | 37,304 | 59,780 |
| 1995 | 81 | 91.4% | 14,900 | 30,395 | 35,269 |
| 1993 | 61 | 75.4% | 14,270 | 24,865 | 33,240 |
| 1992 | 99 | 77.8% | 26,466 | 34,834 | 48,597 |
| 1991 | 78 | 84.6% | 31,091 | 35,620 | 41,498 |
| 1985 | 156 | 84.6% | 21,882 | 34,545 | 49,341 |
| 1984 | 53 | 84.9% | 18,584 | 22,550 | 31,060 |
| 1983 | 235 | 82.1% | 21,780 | 32,199 | 40,080 |
| 1982 | 355 | 79.4% | 16,268 | 25,881 | 40,361 |
| 1981 | 730 | 80.5% | 20,958 | 29,867 | 42,418 |
| 1980 | 438 | 81.7% | 22,814 | 35,489 | 49,940 |
| 1979 | 298 | 84.2% | 24,544 | 38,051 | 52,491 |
How Long Does a Honda CB650 Last?
Based on 554 Honda CB650 vehicles on UK roads.
Honda CB650 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda CB650 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 CB650
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.9% MOT pass rate from 62 tests
75.4% MOT pass rate from 61 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda CB650 is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.9% across 62 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda CB650 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB650 THIS CAR | 82.4% | 3,106 | 31,422 mi | 47 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 Fabia SE L TSI | 92.9% | 2,028 | 20,475 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda CB650 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda CB650 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 CB650Should you buy a used Honda CB650?
The Honda CB650 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.4% across 3,106 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 CB650 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (55 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (22), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (20). 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 CB650 owner drives around 344 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 CB650 models stay on UK roads for around 47 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.