Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA CB 600 FA-7
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 FA-7's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2010 (88.6% → 88.5%).
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CB 600 FA-7 passes first time 90.8% of the time; by 50k that's 71.4%.
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 FA-7
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
153 | 22.2 | 0.7× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
113 | 16.4 | 0.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
91 | 13.2 | 0.6× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
87 | 12.6 | 0.8× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
70 | 10.2 | 0.7× |
| suspension |
|
50 | 7.3 | 1.5× |
| tyres |
|
42 | 6.1 | 1.3× |
| drive system |
|
31 | 4.5 | 0.9× |
| steering |
|
29 | 4.2 | 1.7× |
| structure and attachments |
|
22 | 3.2 | 0.6× |
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 FA-7 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 FA-7.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2009 (88.7%). Lowest: 2007 (84.5%). Every CB 600 Fa-7 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 FA-7 FAQ
Is the HONDA CB 600 FA-7 reliable?
The HONDA CB 600 FA-7 is about average for its class: 84.9% of its 4,128 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2516 of 5428 models.
What does a CB 600 FA-7 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 22% of all defects recorded against failed CB 600 FA-7 tests.
What is the best year of CB 600 FA-7 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (88.7%) and 2007 worst (84.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CB 600 FA-7 last?
The median CB 600 FA-7 shows 16,193 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 71.4% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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