Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Honda Cb600 Hornet?

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 Cb600 Hornet?

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 Cb600 Hornet?

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 1998 Honda Cb600 Hornet reliable?

Based on MOT data from 942 vehicles, the 1998 Honda Cb600 Hornet has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.4%, 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 1998 Honda Cb600 Hornet?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Honda Cb600 Hornet (1998)

942 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.4% first-time pass rate

1998 Honda Cb600 Hornet

CarHunch analysed 942 real MOT records for the 1998 Honda Cb600 Hornet. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1998 Honda CB600 Hornet passes its MOT first time in only 62.9% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, suggesting these 26-year-old bikes need close inspection before purchase. With 17.2% having suffered a dangerous defect at some point, structural or safety issues aren't uncommon—a real concern for a used bike you'll be relying on for protection.

At an average mileage of 24,609 miles, these Hornets are relatively low-mileage for their age, yet they still average 1.68 failures and 5.0 advisories per test, pointing to wear in electrics, brakes, and exhaust systems rather than major mechanical damage. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection by a motorcycle specialist to check brake condition, wiring, and frame integrity—don't rely on MOT history alone.

The 1998 Honda Cb600 Hornet passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (82.4%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

82.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

17.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.68

Over 9.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

23k

Middle half: 15k–31k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 942 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 942 Honda Cb600 Hornet cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Honda Cb600 Hornet

Based on MOT data from 942 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 17.2% 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 (97%)	915	82.2%	1.72

Colour Breakdown

Based on 3,437 Honda Cb600 Hornet vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 35.6%

1,225

Red 22.8%

783

Yellow 20.5%

706

Black 10.2%

349

Silver 6.7%

231

White 1.5%

Orange 1%

Green 0.7%

Grey 0.4%

Multi-colour 0.3%

Purple 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Honda Cb600 Hornet 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.

22,842

typical

15,420

low mileage

31,065

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Honda Cb600 Hornet vehicles fall between 15,420 and 31,065 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 15,420 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.

✓ 15,420–31,065 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Honda Cb600 Hornets sit.

⚠ Over 41,937 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Honda Cb600 Hornet — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 47% of 1998 Honda Cb600 Hornets are still active.

Numbers are declining — 162 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (47% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* 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

9.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.68

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Honda Cb600 Hornet: All Cb600 Hornet years → Which year to buy? →

1999 2000 2001

Or browse all models: Honda →

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Honda Cb600 Hornet stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?