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 CB900's first-time pass rate has risen 3.3 points since 2005, 82.7% to 86.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CB900 passes first time 86.2% of the time; by 50k that's 79.3%.
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 CB900
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
361 | 26.1 | 0.8× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
240 | 17.4 | 0.6× |
| steering and suspension |
|
193 | 14 | 0.7× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
187 | 13.5 | 1.2× |
| suspension |
|
99 | 7.2 | 1.6× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
82 | 5.9 | 0.5× |
| structure and attachments |
|
76 | 5.5 | 1.2× |
| tyres |
|
63 | 4.6 | 1.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
48 | 3.5 | 0.8× |
| drive system |
|
33 | 2.4 | 0.4× |
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 CB900 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE, TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE, APRILIA TUONO).
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 CB900.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2008 (98.2%). Lowest: 1981 (79.3%). Every CB900 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 CB900 FAQ
Is the HONDA CB900 reliable?
The HONDA CB900 is less reliable than average for its class: 82.5% of its 7,175 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3073 of 5428 models.
What does a CB900 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 26% of all defects recorded against failed CB900 tests.
What is the best year of CB900 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (98.2%) and 1981 worst (79.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CB900 last?
The median CB900 shows 29,648 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 79.3% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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