Pass rate over time
The CRF450's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (86.0% → 85.8%).
What fails on a CRF450
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
925 | 28.4 | 1.0× |
| steering and suspension |
|
450 | 13.8 | 0.9× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
429 | 13.2 | 1.2× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
378 | 11.6 | 1.1× |
| brakes |
|
249 | 7.6 | 0.4× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
244 | 7.5 | 2.9× |
| suspension |
|
213 | 6.5 | 1.8× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
127 | 3.9 | 5.9× |
| tyres |
|
126 | 3.9 | 1.2× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
121 | 3.7 | 4.3× |
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.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2021 (87.5% pass). Weakest: 2001 (74.9%).
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 CRF450 FAQ
Is the HONDA CRF450 reliable?
The HONDA CRF450 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.8% of its 11,846 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3219 of 5426 models.
What does a CRF450 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 28% of all defects recorded against failed CRF450 tests.
What is the best year of CRF450 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2021-registered examples do best (87.5%) and 2001 worst (74.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.