Honda Cbr900 (1998)
1998 Honda Cbr900
CarHunch analysed 101 real MOT records for the 1998 Honda Cbr900. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1998 CBR900 is a genuinely reliable motorcycle by the numbers—an 86.8% first-time pass rate runs 6.8 points ahead of the UK average, and only 15.8% of machines have ever recorded a dangerous defect, which is low enough that safety isn't a primary concern for buyers.
These bikes are racking up modest mileage for their age at a median of 21,536 miles, suggesting they've been cared for or garage-kept rather than thrashed, though the 1.57 average failures per test and 6.2 advisories per vehicle indicate minor wear items need attention on most examples. Before committing to buy, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on those high-mileage outliers and any bike showing a pattern of repeated advisories, as that signals deferred maintenance rather than a one-off issue.
What to check before buying a 1998 Honda Cbr900
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 Cbr900
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Honda Cbr900 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 Cbr900 vehicles fall between 14,331 and 30,369 miles.
1998 Honda Cbr900 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 29 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (46% 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 Cbr900
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
55.6%
Exhaust noisy
-
53.6%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
44.4%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
33.3%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
-
31.4%
Drive chain slightly loose
-
22.9%
Exhaust noisy
-
21.6%
Headlamp masks/converters fitted
-
20.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Cbr900?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.