HONDA CB600FA

599cc Petrol Class 2

#2515 of 5426 overall #372 of 921 HONDAs #115 of 205 naked bikes

84.9%

first-time pass rate

8.0%

failed outright

17,308

median miles at test

614

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2013–2025

The CB600FA's first-time pass rate has risen 3.5 points since 2013, 86.0% to 89.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the CB600FA's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage CB600FA passes first time 91.4% of the time; by 40k that's 77.8%.

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 CB600FA

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	27	29	1.5×
brakes	19	20.4	0.5×
steering and suspension	11	11.8	0.4×
suspension	9	9.7	1.8×
lighting and signalling	9	9.7	0.3×
tyres	7	7.5	1.4×
structure and attachments	4	4.3	1.0×
tyres and wheels	3	3.2	0.2×
drive system	2	2.2	0.5×
steering	2	2.2	0.8×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the CB600FA beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (HONDA CB500, TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE, HONDA CB600 HORNET).

HONDA CB500 83.3% pass · 105k tests TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE 87.7% pass · 37.7k tests HONDA CB600 HORNET 78.6% pass · 26.4k tests TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE R 87.7% pass · 20.6k tests

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 CB600FA.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2011 (91.5% pass). Weakest: 2007 (76.5%).

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 CB600FA FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA CB600FA reliable?

The HONDA CB600FA is about average for its class: 84.9% of its 614 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2515 of 5426 models.

What does a CB600FA fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 29% of all defects recorded against failed CB600FA tests.

What is the best year of CB600FA to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (91.5%) and 2007 worst (76.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a CB600FA last?

The median CB600FA shows 17,308 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 77.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.