Honda C90m (1986)
1986 Honda C90m
CarHunch analysed 1,166 real MOT records for the 1986 Honda C90m. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1986 Honda C90M has a first-time pass rate of just 2.6%, far below the UK average of 80%, which reflects the extreme age and condition of surviving examples in the MOT testing pool. Only 1 in 50 of these nearly 40-year-old machines pass without a failure, though the dangerously low rate of serious defects (0.2%) suggests most issues are wear-related rather than safety-critical.
These bikes are running at a median of 18,689 miles, which is modest for their age and indicates light use or genuine restoration work on some examples. With virtually no advisories recorded and only 0.02 failures per vehicle on average, the data shows these are machines where problems tend to be catastrophic rather than creeping—either they're cherished projects that run well, or they're barely roadworthy. If you're considering one, factor in that you'll likely need to budget for a full inspection and restoration; don't rely on MOT history as a fitness indicator.
What to check before buying a 1986 Honda C90m
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 C90m
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 1,160 | 2.1% | 0.02 |
| Other (1%) | 6 | 98.2% | 0.17 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 Honda C90m 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.
Half of all 1986 Honda C90m vehicles fall between 13,896 and 26,559 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Honda C90m
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
20%
Offside Front Suspension pin, bush or joint worn but not resulting in excessive movement
-
20%
Nearside Front Suspension pin, bush or joint worn but not resulting in excessive movement
-
16.7%
Motorcycle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced
-
13.3%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.3%
Drive chain slightly loose
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13.3%
Front suspension assembly has slight free play between the sliding members
-
10%
Steering headbearing has slight free play
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10%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda C90m?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.