Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA CB 900 F-5
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 900 F-5's first-time pass rate has risen 2.7 points since 2008, 86.0% to 88.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CB 900 F-5 passes first time 88.8% of the time; by 40k that's 71.0%.
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 900 F-5
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
42 | 21.9 | 0.5× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
35 | 18.2 | 0.4× |
| suspension |
|
23 | 12 | 1.6× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
22 | 11.5 | 0.6× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
21 | 10.9 | 0.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
18 | 9.4 | 0.3× |
| tyres |
|
12 | 6.2 | 0.9× |
| structure and attachments |
|
9 | 4.7 | 0.7× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
6 | 3.1 | 0.5× |
| drive system |
|
4 | 2.1 | 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 900 F-5 beats 1 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 900 F-5.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2008 (90.0%). Lowest: 2005 (84.7%). Every CB 900 F-5 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 900 F-5 FAQ
Is the HONDA CB 900 F-5 reliable?
The HONDA CB 900 F-5 is about average for its class: 85.3% of its 1,673 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2411 of 5428 models.
What does a CB 900 F-5 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 22% of all defects recorded against failed CB 900 F-5 tests.
What is the best year of CB 900 F-5 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (90.0%) and 2005 worst (84.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CB 900 F-5 last?
The median CB 900 F-5 shows 15,230 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 71.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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