Honda Cbr600 (1998)
1998 Honda Cbr600
CarHunch analysed 153 real MOT records for the 1998 Honda Cbr600. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Honda CBR600 passes its MOT first time in 86.4% of cases, comfortably above the UK average of 80%, which suggests these bikes have held up reasonably well over a quarter-century. However, 15% have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which warrants a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist who can spot hidden frame damage, brake wear, or suspension issues on an older sportbike.
These machines are running at just under 28,000 miles on average—low for their age—and owners encounter roughly 1.6 failures and 5.8 advisories per test, indicating that minor corrosion, worn cables, and lighting niggles are common but manageable. Before you buy one, get a full mechanical check-up from a Honda specialist and budget for cosmetic restoration and consumables like bearings and seals, because an MOT pass doesn't guarantee the bike is truly roadworthy after 26 years.
What to check before buying a 1998 Honda Cbr600
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 Cbr600
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%) | 150 | 86.2% | 1.59 |
| Other (2%) | 3 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Honda Cbr600 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 1998 Honda Cbr600 vehicles fall between 17,300 and 35,344 miles.
1998 Honda Cbr600 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 30 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (39% 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 — 1998 Honda Cbr600
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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52.8%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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50%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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38.2%
Headlamp masks/converters fitted
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31.9%
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside
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27.2%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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26%
Exhaust noisy
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21.7%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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20.1%
Drive chain slightly loose
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Cbr600?
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