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J255 PBV

1997 Honda CB400

Black Petrol 400cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 May 2027
Tests23 (16 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate69.6%

Mileage

56,871 mi
Last recorded56,871 miles
Recorded on6 May 2026
Typical for 1997 Honda CB40034,746 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Honda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ255 PBV
MakeHonda
ModelCB400
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine400cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

16 pass 7 fail
Pass 6 May 2026 56,871 miles

Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Fail 6 May 2026 56,871 miles

Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Pass 30 Apr 2025 53,440 miles

Rear Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Pass 25 Apr 2024 49,349 miles

Offside Rear Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 24 Apr 2024 49,349 miles

Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick (1.1.13 (a)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 28 Apr 2023 44,579 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Pass 7 Mar 2022 39,695 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Tyre worn close to the legal limit (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 8 Mar 2021 34,535 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Pass 10 Mar 2020 30,271 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 10 Mar 2020 30,271 miles

Drive chain excessively loose (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

All direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute not flashing (4.4.4 (a))

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 5 Mar 2019 25,714 miles
Fail 5 Mar 2019 25,714 miles

Drive chain worn to excess (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 9 Mar 2018 21,241 miles

Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d)

Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d)

Rear shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.4.A.3b)

Pass 11 Feb 2017 17,350 miles

Exhaust noisy (7.1.2)

Rear Rear shock absorber has a light misting (2.4.A.1c)

Pass 27 Jan 2016 11,880 miles
Fail 29 Jan 2015 5,494 miles

Headlamp aim too low (1.6)

Pass 29 Jan 2015 5,494 miles
Pass 14 Jan 2014 3,095 miles
Fail 14 Jan 2014 3,095 miles

Drive chain excessively loose (6.2.1d)

Front Stop lamp missing (1.3.3a)

Horn not working (1.7.3a)

Pass 7 Dec 2012 601 miles
Pass 18 Jun 2010 366 miles
Pass 25 Nov 2008 5,204 miles
Fail 3 May 2007 5,177 miles

Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (7.1.2)

Front position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.3b)

Headlamp deteriorated and function impaired (1.2.3a)

Headlamp dipped beam affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.2c)

Headlamp main beam affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.2c)

Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (2.3.3)

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (1.3.1a)

How Reliable is the Honda CB400?

Based on 9,585 MOT tests across 1,172 vehicles.

84.0%
Pass Rate
402
Miles/Year
51
Year Lifespan
1,172
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 135
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 83
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 81
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 56
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 54
Full Honda CB400 reliability report

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J255 PBV is a 1997 Honda CB400 in Black with a 400cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.6%.

Across all 1997 Honda CB400 models, the average MOT pass rate is 82.5% with a typical mileage of 34,746 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Honda CB400 fails its MOT is shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, accounting for 135 recorded failures. If you're considering buying J255 PBV, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Honda CB400 typically stays on UK roads for around 51 years. At 29 years old, this Honda CB400 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of J255 PBV?

You can check the full history of J255 PBV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J255 PBV registered?

J255 PBV is a 1997 Honda CB400, first registered on 23 May 1997.

Is J255 PBV safe to buy?

The MOT history for J255 PBV shows 23 tests with a 69.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J255 PBV have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on J255 PBV. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.