Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1999 Honda Cb 500?

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 1999 Honda Cb 500?

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 1999 Honda Cb 500?

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.

Is the 1999 Honda Cb 500 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 186 vehicles, the 1999 Honda Cb 500 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1999 Honda Cb 500?

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 Cb 500 (1999)

186 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.9% first-time pass rate

1999 Honda Cb 500

CarHunch analysed 186 real MOT records for the 1999 Honda Cb 500. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 1999 Honda CB 500 is a genuinely unreliable proposition at MOT time: only 39% pass first time, against the UK average of 80%, and nearly 4 in 5 bikes come back with at least one failure or advisory. While dangerous defects are mercifully rare at 4.3%, the sheer volume of issues—averaging 0.54 failures and 1.4 advisories per bike—suggests these machines need serious maintenance attention to stay roadworthy.

These bikes are still relatively low-mileage for their age (median 30,862 miles), which means the poor pass rate isn't down to heavy use alone; it's a sign of deferred maintenance and age-related wear catching up. If you're considering one, budget for immediate pre-purchase inspection by an experienced motorcycle mechanic, as the numbers tell you that hoping to skip repairs and limp through the MOT won't work.

We have limited data for the 1999 Honda Cb 500 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

82.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

4.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.54

Over 3.4 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

31k

Middle half: 19k–47k

For context

These stats describe 186 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 186 Honda Cb 500 cars.

Before you buy a 1999 Honda Cb 500

Based on MOT data from 186 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 4.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (98%)	182	82.6%	0.54

Mileage Distribution

Most 1999 Honda Cb 500 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

30,862

typical

18,582

low mileage

46,769

high mileage

Half of all 1999 Honda Cb 500 vehicles fall between 18,582 and 46,769 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 18,582 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 18,582–46,769 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1999 Honda Cb 500s sit.

⚠ Over 63,138 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1999 Honda Cb 500 — Still on the Road

Most 1999 Honda Cb 500s are still being driven.

11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 73% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

3.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.54

Avg failures per vehicle

1.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Honda Cb 500: All Cb 500 years → Which year to buy? →

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Average reliability — agree?