Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2?

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 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2?

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 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2?

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 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 266 vehicles, the 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 90.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2?

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 Cbr 900rr 2 (2002)

266 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.2% first-time pass rate

2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2

CarHunch analysed 266 real MOT records for the 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2002 Honda CBR 900RR-2 is a genuinely troublesome MOT proposition, with a first-time pass rate of just 47.5%—nearly 33 percentage points below the UK average of 80%. Dangerous defects are rare at 1.5%, but the sheer frequency of failures means you're statistically more likely than not to face repair bills before each test.

These bikes have clocked a modest 14,500 miles at the median (well below what you'd expect for a 22-year-old machine), yet still average 0.3 failures and 0.7 advisories each, suggesting wear and deterioration rather than hard use. If you're considering one, budget for pre-MOT remedial work and have a trusted motorcycle technician inspect the specific machine before buying—this model simply doesn't hold up reliably.

We have limited data for the 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

90.2%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

1.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.3

Over 3.1 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

14k

Middle half: 9k–21k

For context

These stats describe 266 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.

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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 266 Honda Cbr 900rr 2 cars.

Before you buy a 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2

Based on MOT data from 266 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 1.5% 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 (91%)	241	89.6%	0.32

Colour Breakdown

Based on 268 Honda Cbr 900rr 2 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 36.6%

Red 34.7%

Yellow 26.1%

Black 2.6%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2 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.

14,482

typical

9,378

low mileage

21,050

high mileage

Half of all 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2 vehicles fall between 9,378 and 21,050 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 9,378 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.

✓ 9,378–21,050 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2s sit.

⚠ Over 28,417 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 61% of 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2s are still active.

17 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 61% 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

3.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.3

Avg failures per vehicle

0.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2002 Honda Cbr 900rr 2 stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?