Honda

Honda Cbf (2016)

229 real MOT outcomes analysed • 92.2% first-time pass rate

2016 Honda Cbf

CarHunch analysed 229 real MOT records for the 2016 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? →

On this page
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 2016 Honda CBF is a genuinely reliable motorcycle, with a 92.2% first-time MOT pass rate that sits well above the UK average of 80%. However, nearly one in five bikes (19.7%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, so thorough inspection before purchase is essential.

These machines typically show around 13,500 miles by test time, which is modest for their age, and they average just 0.5 failures per vehicle—a very low figure. When you buy one, budget for routine maintenance rather than major repairs, but always request a full service history and have any advisory items (averaging 2.3 per bike) checked by a qualified mechanic before committing.

We have limited data for the 2016 Honda Cbf — 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
92.2%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
19.7%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.5
Over 6 tests on record
Moderate
Typical mileage
11k
Middle half: 7k–17k
For context

These stats describe 229 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 229 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 32.3%
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.
Lighting 27.4%
Drive chain slightly loose · Rear reflector missing
Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.
Exhaust & emissions 23.7%
Exhaust noisy
Other issues 18.3%
Drive chain worn but not considered excessive · Drive chain excessively loose · Rear Drive chain sprocket worn, but not excessively
Suspension & steering 16.6%
Steering headbearing slightly stiff or notchy
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Brake wear 15.5%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 229 Honda Cbf cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2016 Honda Cbf

Based on MOT data from 229 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 19.7% 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 ClickMechanic
  • 📄 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 carVertical 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%
51
Yellow 0.4%
29
Green 0.1%
9
Orange 0.1%
6

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 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.

11,379
typical
7,011
low mileage
17,298
high mileage

Half of all 2016 Honda Cbf vehicles fall between 7,011 and 17,298 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 7,011 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.
7,011–17,298 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Honda Cbfs sit.
Over 23,352 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Honda Cbf — Still on the Road

Most 2016 Honda Cbfs are still being driven.

Strong survival — 163 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 85% of the peak.

191 163 2019 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* 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
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.5
Avg failures per vehicle
2.3
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Honda Cbf: All Cbf years → Which year to buy? →
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2018 2019 2020

Or browse all models: Honda →

Honda logo

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Honda Cbf stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?