Honda Cb600 (2003)

422 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.1% first-time pass rate

2003 Honda Cb600

CarHunch analysed 422 real MOT records for the 2003 Honda Cb600. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2003 Honda CB600 passes its MOT at 87.1%, comfortably above the UK average of 80%, which is a strong sign of long-term durability for a machine now over 20 years old. However, one in five of these bikes (22%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, so thorough pre-purchase inspection and maintenance history checks are essential.

These CB600s show remarkably low mileage for their age, with a median of just 15,892 miles, suggesting many have been cherished or stored rather than ridden hard—a positive indicator for mechanical integrity. The average bike still picks up 1.75 failures and 6.2 advisories per test, so budget for routine wear items and don't skip the pre-buy inspection, particularly on brakes and emissions systems where the advisory count suggests most wear occurs.

Average reliability 7.1% above UK average
87.1%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
15,892
typical mileage
10,067–24,281 middle half
22%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.75
avg MOT failures per car
over 12.3 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2003 Honda Cb600

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.
  • ⚠️ 22% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 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 Cb600

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic 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.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (100%) 421 87.1% 1.75
Diesel (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Honda Cb600 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.

10,067
low mileage
15,892
typical
24,281
high mileage

Half of all 2003 Honda Cb600 vehicles fall between 10,067 and 24,281 miles.

2003 Honda Cb600 — Still on the Road

121 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 55% of the peak remain.

220 121 2014 2025

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

12.3
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.75
Avg failures per vehicle
6.2
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Honda Cb600

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

  • 54.5%
    Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 50.1%
    Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 32.4%
    Drive chain slightly loose
  • 28.4%
    Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
  • 22.6%
    Exhaust noisy
  • 20.8%
    Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
  • 20.1%
    Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn
  • 16.5%
    Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Honda Cb600?

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

UK

Other model years — Honda Cb600:

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008