Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1988 Honda Bros?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1988 Honda Bros?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1988 Honda Bros?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1988 Honda Bros?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Honda Bros (1988)

226 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.1% first-time pass rate

1988 Honda Bros

CarHunch analysed 226 real MOT records for the 1988 Honda Bros. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Average reliability In line with UK average

81.1%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

43,049

typical mileage

29,566–58,591 middle half

19%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

1.65

avg MOT failures per car

over 8.6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1988 Honda Bros

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Honda Bros

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	225	81.2%	1.65
Other (0%)	1	75%	1

Mileage Distribution

Most 1988 Honda Bros vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

29,566

low mileage

43,049

typical

58,591

high mileage

Half of all 1988 Honda Bros vehicles fall between 29,566 and 58,591 miles.

1988 Honda Bros — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 21 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (23% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

8.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.65

Avg failures per vehicle

5.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Honda Bros

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

36.3%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
33.2%

Drive chain slightly loose
24.3%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
16.4%

Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
15.9%

Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn
15%

Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
13.3%

Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies
13.3%

Drive chain worn but not considered excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Honda Bros?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — Honda Bros:

1989