Honda Cb450 (1989)
1989 Honda Cb450
CarHunch analysed 139 real MOT records for the 1989 Honda Cb450. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1989 Honda CB450 passes its MOT at 80.5%, marginally above the UK average of 80%, suggesting broadly typical reliability for a motorcycle of this age. However, 18% of these machines have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a meaningful risk—brake or suspension issues are worth inspecting carefully on any example you're considering.
At a median mileage of just under 31,000 miles, these bikes are relatively lightly used for their 35-year age, which partly explains the solid pass rate. Owners should expect around 1.3 failures and 4 advisories per MOT cycle, indicating minor wear rather than serious structural problems—budget for routine maintenance on consumables like cables, bearings, and seals, but the platform is fundamentally sound.
What to check before buying a 1989 Honda Cb450
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 Cb450
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1989 Honda Cb450 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 1989 Honda Cb450 vehicles fall between 21,057 and 39,738 miles.
1989 Honda Cb450 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 16 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (38% 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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Honda Cb450
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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27.1%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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21.3%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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19.2%
Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
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16.5%
Drive chain slightly loose
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15.5%
Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
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13.4%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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12.8%
Headlamp aim too high
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11%
Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Cb450?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.