Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1988 Honda Cb350?

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 Cb350?

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 Cb350?

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 Cb350?

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 Cb350 (1988)

113 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.2% first-time pass rate

1988 Honda Cb350

CarHunch analysed 113 real MOT records for the 1988 Honda Cb350. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Average reliability In line with UK average

80.2%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

40,607

typical mileage

30,720–53,774 middle half

16.8%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

1.34

avg MOT failures per car

over 6.6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1988 Honda Cb350

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 Cb350

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 →

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1988 Honda Cb350 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.

30,720

low mileage

40,607

typical

53,774

high mileage

Half of all 1988 Honda Cb350 vehicles fall between 30,720 and 53,774 miles.

1988 Honda Cb350 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 15 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (43% 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

6.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.34

Avg failures per vehicle

4.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Honda Cb350

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

26.8%

Front Brake disc(s) slightly worn
24.3%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
19.9%

Drive chain slightly loose
17.4%

Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
15.6%

Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
15.2%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
14.9%

Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
14.1%

Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey

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

Found a specific Honda Cb350?

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

Other model years — Honda Cb350:

1987