Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1999 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 1999 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 1999 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 1999 Honda Cb600 Hornet reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,374 vehicles, the 1999 Honda Cb600 Hornet 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 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.

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Honda Cb600 Hornet (1999)

1,374 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.9% first-time pass rate

1999 Honda Cb600 Hornet

CarHunch analysed 1,374 real MOT records for the 1999 Honda Cb600 Hornet. 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 Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1999 Honda CB600 Hornet has a first-time MOT pass rate of 63.9%, well below the UK average of 80%, which suggests these 25-year-old bikes are prone to picking up faults. With 16.4% of vehicles having experienced a dangerous defect at some point, buyers should factor in a thorough pre-purchase inspection and expect potential safety-critical repairs.

At an average mileage of 23,565 miles for their age, these Hornets are relatively lightly used, yet they still average 1.64 failures and 5.3 advisories per test, indicating wear-related issues are common even on lower-mileage examples. Before committing to one, have a specialist mechanic check the braking system, electrics, and frame condition, as these older sportbikes often need targeted remedial work to pass safely.

The 1999 Honda Cb600 Hornet passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (82.9%) — 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

82.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

16.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.64

Over 9.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

22k

Middle half: 15k–30k

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 5.3 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 1,374 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 1,374 Honda Cb600 Hornet cars.

Before you buy a 1999 Honda Cb600 Hornet

Based on MOT data from 1,374 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 16.5% 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 (96%)	1,321	82.5%	1.69
Other (4%)	53	93.7%	0.38

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 1999 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.

21,887

typical

14,907

low mileage

30,287

high mileage

Half of all 1999 Honda Cb600 Hornet vehicles fall between 14,907 and 30,287 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 14,907 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.

✓ 14,907–30,287 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1999 Honda Cb600 Hornets sit.

⚠ Over 40,887 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 Cb600 Hornet — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 45% of 1999 Honda Cb600 Hornets are still active.

Numbers are declining — 240 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (45% 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

9.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.64

Avg failures per vehicle

5.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1998 2000 2001

Or browse all models: Honda →

Compare with another model

See how the 1999 Honda Cb600 Hornet stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?