Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA CB 1000 R-B
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The CB 1000 R-B's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.1 points since 2014, 92.6% to 87.5%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CB 1000 R-B passes first time 90.3% of the time; by 30k that's 78.8%.
First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.
What fails on a CB 1000 R-B
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
32 | 31.1 | 1.0× |
| brakes |
|
12 | 11.7 | 0.2× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
11 | 10.7 | 0.1× |
| tyres |
|
9 | 8.7 | 1.0× |
| suspension |
|
9 | 8.7 | 0.8× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
8 | 7.8 | 2.6× |
| structure and attachments |
|
7 | 6.8 | 0.8× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
7 | 6.8 | 0.4× |
| body and structure |
|
4 | 3.9 | 0.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
4 | 3.9 | 0.2× |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the CB 1000 R-B beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).
Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the CB 1000 R-B.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2011 (89.9%). Lowest: 2013 (84.1%). Every CB 1000 R-B year compared →
First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.
HONDA CB 1000 R-B FAQ
Is the HONDA CB 1000 R-B reliable?
The HONDA CB 1000 R-B is more reliable than average for its class: 89.1% of its 1,325 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1243 of 5428 models.
What does a CB 1000 R-B fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors: 31% of all defects recorded against failed CB 1000 R-B tests.
What is the best year of CB 1000 R-B to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (89.9%) and 2013 worst (84.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CB 1000 R-B last?
The median CB 1000 R-B shows 11,192 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 78.8% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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