Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA CBF 600 SA-A
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 CBF 600 SA-A's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.5 points since 2013, 93.2% to 91.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CBF 600 SA-A passes first time 96.8% of the time; by 50k that's 88.9%.
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 CBF 600 SA-A
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
23 | 25.8 | 0.4× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
14 | 15.7 | 0.7× |
| steering and suspension |
|
9 | 10.1 | 0.2× |
| tyres |
|
9 | 10.1 | 1.3× |
| suspension |
|
8 | 9 | 1.1× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
8 | 9 | 0.2× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
6 | 6.7 | 0.3× |
| steering |
|
5 | 5.6 | 1.2× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
4 | 4.5 | 2.2× |
| body and structure |
|
3 | 3.4 | 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 CBF 600 SA-A 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 CBF 600 SA-A.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2010 (89.4%). Lowest: 2012 (81.0%). Every CBF 600 Sa-A 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 CBF 600 SA-A FAQ
Is the HONDA CBF 600 SA-A reliable?
The HONDA CBF 600 SA-A is more reliable than average for its class: 89.0% of its 994 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1269 of 5428 models.
What does a CBF 600 SA-A fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 26% of all defects recorded against failed CBF 600 SA-A tests.
What is the best year of CBF 600 SA-A to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (89.4%) and 2012 worst (81.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CBF 600 SA-A last?
The median CBF 600 SA-A shows 16,682 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 88.9% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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