Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Honda Cb500?

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 1998 Honda Cb500?

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 1998 Honda Cb500?

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 1998 Honda Cb500?

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 Cb500 (1998)

827 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.6% first-time pass rate

1998 Honda Cb500

CarHunch analysed 827 real MOT records for the 1998 Honda Cb500. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Average reliability In line with UK average

81.6%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

30,911

typical mileage

20,024–44,398 middle half

15.8%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

1.96

avg MOT failures per car

over 10.6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1998 Honda Cb500

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 Cb500

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.

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Honda Cb500 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.

20,024

low mileage

30,911

typical

44,398

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Honda Cb500 vehicles fall between 20,024 and 44,398 miles.

1998 Honda Cb500 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 119 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (31% 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

10.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.96

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Honda Cb500

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

44.6%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
41.4%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
38.3%

Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
26.5%

Drive chain slightly loose
22.9%

Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
22.8%

Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
19.8%

Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
18.7%

Steering headbearing has slight free play

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Honda Cb500?

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

Other model years — Honda Cb500:

1994 1995 1996 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003