Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
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 CB450's first-time pass rate has risen 14.9 points since 2005, 74.2% to 89.1%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CB450 passes first time 84.3% of the time; by 50k that's 67.0%.
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 CB450
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
331 | 25.5 | 1.4× |
| steering and suspension |
|
320 | 24.6 | 1.9× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
252 | 19.4 | 1.2× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
97 | 7.5 | 1.1× |
| drive system |
|
80 | 6.2 | 2.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
59 | 4.5 | 1.9× |
| body and structure |
|
52 | 4 | 2.4× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
48 | 3.7 | 0.4× |
| driving controls |
|
34 | 2.6 | 3.8× |
| structure and attachments |
|
26 | 2 | 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 CB450 beats 1 of its 3 closest rivals (HONDA CB500, HONDA CB400, HONDA CB400N).
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 CB450.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1969 (96.2%). Lowest: 1993 (65.3%). Every CB450 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 CB450 FAQ
Is the HONDA CB450 reliable?
The HONDA CB450 is less reliable than average for its class: 78.5% of its 3,797 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3846 of 5428 models.
What does a CB450 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 25% of all defects recorded against failed CB450 tests.
What is the best year of CB450 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1969-registered examples do best (96.2%) and 1993 worst (65.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CB450 last?
The median CB450 shows 26,122 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 67.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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