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N440 VBU

1996 Honda CB500

Green Petrol 499cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Dec 2026
Tests23 (18 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate78.3%

Mileage

47,994 mi
Last recorded47,994 miles
Recorded on15 Dec 2025
Typical for 1996 Honda CB50033,174 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationN440 VBU
MakeHonda
ModelCB500
Year1996
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine499cc

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

18 pass 5 fail
Pass 15 Dec 2025 47,994 miles
Pass 4 Oct 2024 47,845 miles
Pass 1 Nov 2023 47,811 miles
Pass 8 Oct 2022 47,780 miles

Front Brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 7 Aug 2021 47,651 miles

Central Rear Motorcycle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 13 Apr 2019 47,289 miles
Pass 21 Apr 2018 46,664 miles
Fail 21 Apr 2018 46,664 miles

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

Pass 13 May 2017 45,829 miles

Central Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey (7.1.1b)

Central Exhaust slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Fail 13 May 2017 45,829 miles

Central Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey (7.1.1b)

Central Exhaust slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Rear Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (1.1.3a)

Pass 23 Apr 2016 4,559 miles
Pass 25 Apr 2015 45,307 miles

Front Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

Fail 25 Apr 2015 45,307 miles

Front Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (4.1.3(ii))

Pass 3 May 2014 44,540 miles
Pass 9 May 2013 43,438 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2012 43,273 miles

Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

Pass 18 Mar 2011 41,356 miles
Fail 16 Mar 2011 41,356 miles

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

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

Steering headbearing has excessive free play (2.2.2)

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

Pass 30 Mar 2010 39,107 miles

Front Brake disc(s) slightly pitted (3.2.A1l)

Front Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

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

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))

Steering movement slightly 'notchy' (2.2.1b)

Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))

Wheel alignment slightly misaligned. (2.5.1)

drive chain dry

Pass 16 Mar 2009 35,658 miles

Rear Drive chain slightly tight (6.2.1d)

Pass 5 Apr 2008 34,218 miles
Fail 3 Apr 2008 34,218 miles

Front Tyre has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.2a(ii))

Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (4.1.3(ii))

Coolant radiator in poor condition

Headlamp aim too low (1.6)

No coolant in bottle

Pass 24 Jan 2006 32,400 miles

How Reliable is the Honda CB500?

Based on 77,271 MOT tests across 7,190 vehicles.

82.6%
Pass Rate
1,106
Miles/Year
32
Year Lifespan
7,190
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 1,526
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 1,227
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 1,110
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 808
Drive chain excessively loose 572
Full Honda CB500 reliability report

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N440 VBU is a 1996 Honda CB500 in Green with a 499cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 78.3%.

Across all 1996 Honda CB500 models, the average MOT pass rate is 82.1% with a typical mileage of 33,174 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 CB500 fails its MOT is shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, accounting for 1,526 recorded failures. If you're considering buying N440 VBU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Honda CB500 typically stays on UK roads for around 32 years. At 30 years old, this Honda CB500 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of N440 VBU?

You can check the full history of N440 VBU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N440 VBU registered?

N440 VBU is a 1996 Honda CB500, first registered on 3 February 1996.

Is N440 VBU safe to buy?

The MOT history for N440 VBU shows 23 tests with a 78.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N440 VBU 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 N440 VBU. 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.