Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA CB 1000 RA-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 RA-B's first-time pass rate has risen 2.3 points since 2014, 90.3% to 92.6%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CB 1000 RA-B passes first time 92.0% of the time; by 30k that's 73.5%.
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 RA-B
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
31 | 23.5 | 0.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
29 | 22 | 1.3× |
| suspension |
|
14 | 10.6 | 1.2× |
| structure and attachments |
|
14 | 10.6 | 1.5× |
| tyres |
|
13 | 9.8 | 1.4× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
11 | 8.3 | 0.2× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
8 | 6.1 | 0.3× |
| steering and suspension |
|
5 | 3.8 | 0.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
5 | 3.8 | 0.5× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
2 | 1.5 | 0.7× |
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 RA-B beats 2 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 RA-B.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2011 (89.4%). Lowest: 2012 (85.5%). Every CB 1000 Ra-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 RA-B FAQ
Is the HONDA CB 1000 RA-B reliable?
The HONDA CB 1000 RA-B is more reliable than average for its class: 87.9% of its 1,245 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1639 of 5428 models.
What does a CB 1000 RA-B fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 23% of all defects recorded against failed CB 1000 RA-B tests.
What is the best year of CB 1000 RA-B to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (89.4%) and 2012 worst (85.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CB 1000 RA-B last?
The median CB 1000 RA-B shows 11,450 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 73.5% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
Embed this bike
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