Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1996 Honda Cb750?

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 1996 Honda Cb750?

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 1996 Honda Cb750?

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 1996 Honda Cb750 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 163 vehicles, the 1996 Honda Cb750 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 84%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1996 Honda Cb750?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1996 Honda Cb750 are: Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (64.7% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (32.9% of vehicles), Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey (25.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1996 Honda Cb750?

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 Cb750 (1996)

163 real MOT outcomes analysed • 84% first-time pass rate

1996 Honda Cb750

CarHunch analysed 163 real MOT records for the 1996 Honda Cb750. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 1996 Honda CB750 passes its MOT at almost exactly the UK average of 80%, so there's nothing alarming about the cohort's overall reliability; however, one in six bikes have shown a dangerous defect at some point, which is worth factoring into your purchase decision. Petrol versus diesel comparisons don't apply to motorcycles, but the 17.2% dangerous defect rate is a legitimate concern for a bike now nearly 30 years old.

These CB750s average just over 25,000 miles, which is reasonable for their age, and the typical failure count of 1.66 per test suggests most issues are manageable rather than systemic. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically targets the brake and lighting systems—those dangerous defects pile up on older bikes—and budget for around 5–6 advisory repairs to keep one roadworthy.

We have limited data for the 1996 Honda Cb750 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

84%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

17.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.66

Over 9.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

24k

Middle half: 15k–32k

For context

These stats describe 163 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?

What tends to go wrong

Across 163 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 64.7%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Exhaust & emissions 25.3%

Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey

Lighting 20.3%

Drive chain slightly loose · Headlamp aim too low

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Brake wear 19.7%

Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 13.8%

Drive chain worn but not considered excessive

Suspension & steering 7.1%

Steering movement slightly 'notchy'

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1996.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 163 Honda Cb750 cars.

Before you buy a 1996 Honda Cb750

Based on MOT data from 163 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 1996 Honda Cb750 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.

23,581

typical

15,210

low mileage

32,167

high mileage

Half of all 1996 Honda Cb750 vehicles fall between 15,210 and 32,167 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 15,210 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.

✓ 15,210–32,167 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1996 Honda Cb750s sit.

⚠ Over 43,425 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1996 Honda Cb750 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 42% of 1996 Honda Cb750s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 32 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (42% 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

9.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.66

Avg failures per vehicle

5.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Honda Cb750: All Cb750 years → Which year to buy? →

1980 1981 1982 1983 1992 1993 1994 1995 1998 1999

Or browse all models: Honda →

Compare with another model

See how the 1996 Honda Cb750 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?