Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2011 Honda Cbf?

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 2011 Honda Cbf?

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 2011 Honda Cbf?

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.

How many 2011 Honda Cbf vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

33% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2011 Honda Cbf reliable?

Based on MOT data from 222 vehicles, the 2011 Honda Cbf has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2011 Honda Cbf?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2011 Honda Cbf are: Drive chain slightly loose (43.1% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (41.2% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (36.5% 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 2011 Honda Cbf?

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 Cbf (2011)

222 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.1% first-time pass rate

2011 Honda Cbf

CarHunch analysed 222 real MOT records for the 2011 Honda Cbf. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2011 Honda CBF passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 82.1%, which is reassuring, but one third of these bikes have experienced a dangerous defect at some point—a notably high figure that warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection. With an average of 1.39 failures per vehicle and 4.5 advisories, owners should expect moderate maintenance needs rather than constant crisis management.

These bikes average 12,896 miles across their lifespan, suggesting they're ridden fairly regularly rather than stored away, and that mileage context makes the failure rates reasonable for a 13-year-old machine. Before committing to one, have a trusted mechanic specifically check the brake system, lights, and fluid seals—the frequent advisories point to wear items that can escalate into failures if ignored.

We have limited data for the 2011 Honda Cbf — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 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

82.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

32.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.39

Over 6.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

10k

Middle half: 6k–17k

For context

These stats describe 222 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 222 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Lighting 43.1%

Drive chain slightly loose · Wheel alignment slightly misaligned

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

Tyre wear 41.2%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear 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.

Brake wear 36.5%

Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick · Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick · …

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

Other issues 32.3%

Drive chain worn but not considered excessive · Drive chain excessively loose · Handlebar deformed but serviceable

Suspension & steering 13.6%

Steering headbearing slightly stiff or notchy · Steering movement slightly 'notchy'

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

Exhaust & emissions 11%

Exhaust noisy

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 222 Honda Cbf cars.

Before you buy a 2011 Honda Cbf

Based on MOT data from 222 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 32.9% 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 (100%)	221	82%	1.39

Colour Breakdown

Based on 7,936 Honda Cbf vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 31.4%

2,491

Red 30.7%

2,436

White 21.5%

1,705

Grey 10.7%

850

Silver 4.5%

359

Blue 0.6%

Yellow 0.4%

Green 0.1%

Orange 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2011 Honda Cbf 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.

9,953

typical

5,768

low mileage

17,455

high mileage

Half of all 2011 Honda Cbf vehicles fall between 5,768 and 17,455 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 5,768 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.

✓ 5,768–17,455 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2011 Honda Cbfs sit.

⚠ Over 23,564 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2011 Honda Cbf — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 67% of 2011 Honda Cbfs are still active.

77 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 67% of the peak remain.

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

6.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.39

Avg failures per vehicle

4.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2018 2019 2020

Or browse all models: Honda →

Compare with another model

See how the 2011 Honda Cbf stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing