Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 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 2013 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 2013 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 2013 Honda Cbf vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

29% 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 2013 Honda Cbf reliable?

Based on MOT data from 546 vehicles, the 2013 Honda Cbf has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2013 Honda Cbf?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2013 Honda Cbf are: Drive chain slightly loose (35.1% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (33.3% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (33.3% 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 2013 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 (2013)

546 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.7% first-time pass rate

2013 Honda Cbf

CarHunch analysed 546 real MOT records for the 2013 Honda Cbf. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2013 Honda CBF passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 81.7%, which is solid—but the dangerous defect rate of 29.3% is a genuine concern and well above what you'd typically expect. Nearly one in three of these bikes has shown a serious safety issue at some point, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is non-negotiable.

At just over 11,800 miles on average, these bikes are lightly used for their age, which explains the relatively clean sheet on failures. The 4.5 advisories per vehicle suggest minor wear is creeping in (brake pads, cables, tyres), but nothing unexpected; when you're shopping for one, ask the seller for full service records and budget for preventative maintenance to keep that dangerous defect rate from affecting your machine.

The 2013 Honda Cbf has a decent first-time pass rate (81.7%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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

81.7%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

29.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.26

Over 6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

10k

Middle half: 6k–16k

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 4.5 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 546 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 546 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Lighting 35.1%

Drive chain slightly loose · Headlamp aim too high · Rear reflector missing · …

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

Tyre wear 33.3%

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 33.3%

Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick · Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · …

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

Other issues 30.5%

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

Suspension & steering 13.9%

Steering headbearing slightly stiff or notchy

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

Exhaust & emissions 13%

Exhaust noisy

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 546 Honda Cbf cars.

Before you buy a 2013 Honda Cbf

Based on MOT data from 546 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 29.3% 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

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 2013 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.

10,109

typical

5,713

low mileage

16,013

high mileage

Half of all 2013 Honda Cbf vehicles fall between 5,713 and 16,013 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 5,713 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.

✓ 5,713–16,013 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Honda Cbfs sit.

⚠ Over 21,617 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Honda Cbf — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 55% of 2013 Honda Cbfs are still active.

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

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
* 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

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.26

Avg failures per vehicle

4.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2009 2010 2011 2012 2014 2015 2016 2018 2019 2020

Or browse all models: Honda →

Compare with another model

See how the 2013 Honda Cbf stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing