Honda Cbr (1991)
1991 Honda Cbr
CarHunch analysed 104 real MOT records for the 1991 Honda Cbr. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1991 Honda CBR passes its MOT at 82.8%, which is marginally better than the UK average of 80%, suggesting these bikes have held up reasonably well over three decades. The dangerous defect rate of 10.6% is modest and shouldn't be a major concern for most buyers.
At 37,500 miles average, these machines are running relatively low mileage for their age, which explains the decent pass rate. However, the average of 5.7 advisories per vehicle indicates accumulated wear—electrical gremlins, corrosion, and brake components are the likely culprits—so budget for preventative maintenance before you ride one hard. Get a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on the charging system and fuel delivery, as these aging bikes often develop intermittent electrical issues that won't yet show as failures.
What to check before buying a 1991 Honda Cbr
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Honda Cbr
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 102 | 82.5% | 1.58 |
| Other (2%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1991 Honda Cbr vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1991 Honda Cbr vehicles fall between 27,049 and 48,359 miles.
1991 Honda Cbr — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 18 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (44% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1991 Honda Cbr
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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41.1%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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35.2%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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23.7%
Exhaust noisy
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21.8%
Drive chain slightly loose
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17.9%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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15.4%
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing
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12.6%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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10.8%
Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Cbr?
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