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 CBX's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.1 points since 2006, 90.7% to 88.6%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CBX passes first time 93.1% of the time; by 50k that's 86.8%.
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 CBX
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
51 | 24.4 | 0.6× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
47 | 22.5 | 0.6× |
| steering and suspension |
|
46 | 22 | 0.8× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
20 | 9.6 | 0.6× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
15 | 7.2 | 0.5× |
| drive system |
|
15 | 7.2 | 0.9× |
| driving controls |
|
5 | 2.4 | 1.4× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
4 | 1.9 | 0.3× |
| steering |
|
3 | 1.4 | 0.5× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
3 | 1.4 | 0.3× |
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 CBX beats 2 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 CBX.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1980 (91.4%). Lowest: 1985 (75.4%). Every CBX 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 CBX FAQ
Is the HONDA CBX reliable?
The HONDA CBX is more reliable than average for its class: 87.4% of its 1,537 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1787 of 5428 models.
What does a CBX fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 24% of all defects recorded against failed CBX tests.
What is the best year of CBX to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1980-registered examples do best (91.4%) and 1985 worst (75.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CBX last?
The median CBX shows 26,086 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 86.8% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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