Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA CB 600 F5
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 600 F5's first-time pass rate has risen 1.3 points since 2008, 85.9% to 87.2%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CB 600 F5 passes first time 89.4% of the time; by 50k that's 65.7%.
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 600 F5
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
49 | 23.7 | 0.7× |
| brakes |
|
40 | 19.3 | 0.6× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
32 | 15.5 | 1.0× |
| steering and suspension |
|
31 | 15 | 0.7× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
16 | 7.7 | 0.6× |
| suspension |
|
10 | 4.8 | 0.9× |
| structure and attachments |
|
9 | 4.3 | 0.7× |
| drive system |
|
9 | 4.3 | 0.8× |
| tyres |
|
6 | 2.9 | 0.5× |
| steering |
|
5 | 2.4 | 0.9× |
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 600 F5 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 600 F5.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2006 (89.6%). Lowest: 2007 (80.0%). Every CB 600 F5 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 600 F5 FAQ
Is the HONDA CB 600 F5 reliable?
The HONDA CB 600 F5 is about average for its class: 83.0% of its 1,374 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2962 of 5428 models.
What does a CB 600 F5 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 24% of all defects recorded against failed CB 600 F5 tests.
What is the best year of CB 600 F5 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (89.6%) and 2007 worst (80.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CB 600 F5 last?
The median CB 600 F5 shows 15,224 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 65.7% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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