HONDA CL400

398cc Petrol Class 2

#2543 of 5426 overall #380 of 921 HONDAs #1597 of 2787 other bikes

84.8%

first-time pass rate

6.9%

failed outright

17,463

median miles at test

554

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The CL400's first-time pass rate has risen 12.9 points since 2013, 70.0% to 82.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the CL400's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage CL400 passes first time 83.6% of the time; by 30k that's 90.3%.

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 CL400

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	26	36.1	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	21	29.2	1.4×
structure and attachments	5	6.9	1.1×
Identification of the vehicle	4	5.6	3.1×
reg plates and vin	4	5.6	1.3×
suspension	3	4.2	0.7×
steering and suspension	3	4.2	0.1×
wheels	2	2.8	3.0×
tyres and wheels	2	2.8	0.2×
audible warning (Horn)	2	2.8	2.0×

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 CL400 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k 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 CL400.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1999 (86.3% pass). Weakest: 2000 (82.0%).

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 CL400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA CL400 reliable?

The HONDA CL400 is about average for its class: 84.8% of its 554 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2543 of 5426 models.

What does a CL400 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed CL400 tests.

What is the best year of CL400 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1999-registered examples do best (86.3%) and 2000 worst (82.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a CL400 last?

The median CL400 shows 17,463 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 90.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.