Honda Cb750 (1981)
1981 Honda Cb750
CarHunch analysed 306 real MOT records for the 1981 Honda Cb750. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1981 Honda CB750 sits dead level with the UK average at 79.9% first-time pass rate, making it a reliable proposition by MOT standards; only 9.5% have ever recorded a dangerous defect, which is comfortably low. These bikes are running at sensible mileages for their age—a median of just under 30,000 miles—suggesting most examples have been genuinely cherished rather than thrashed, though you'll still encounter 0.84 failures per vehicle on average.
The advisory count of 2.2 per bike reflects typical wear items on 40-year-old machines, not systemic weakness. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the ignition, charging system, and fuel delivery—the real killers on vintage Hondas of this era—because MOT data won't catch intermittent electrical gremlins that'll strand you mid-ride.
What to check before buying a 1981 Honda Cb750
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 Cb750
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 303 | 80% | 0.84 |
| Other (1%) | 2 | 50% | 1 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1981 Honda Cb750 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 1981 Honda Cb750 vehicles fall between 17,203 and 41,351 miles.
1981 Honda Cb750 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (16% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1981 Honda Cb750
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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16.6%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.8%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.1%
Exhaust noisy
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10.1%
Drive chain slightly loose
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8.9%
Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
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8.4%
Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
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8.4%
Headlamp aim too high
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7.7%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1981. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Cb750?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.