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Honda Cd200 (1981)

158 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86.9% first-time pass rate

1981 Honda Cd200

CarHunch analysed 158 real MOT records for the 1981 Honda Cd200. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 1981 Honda CD200 passes its MOT first time at 86.9%, comfortably ahead of the UK average of 80%, and dangerous defects are rare at just 3.8%—making this a genuinely solid choice for an 40-year-old bike. Age-appropriate mileage sits at a median of 25,500 miles, suggesting these survivors have been treated reasonably well by their keepers.

The average bike racks up 0.89 failures and 2.2 advisories per test, which is modest and reflects the simple, robust engineering of early Honda commuter bikes. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on fuel system varnish and any signs of prolonged storage, as neglect rather than design flaws is the real enemy of machines this old.

Generally reliable 6.9% above UK average
86.9%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
25,502
typical mileage
15,909–40,516 middle half
3.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.89
avg MOT failures per car
over 6.5 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1981 Honda Cd200

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 Cd200

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1981 Honda Cd200 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.

15,909
low mileage
25,502
typical
40,516
high mileage

Half of all 1981 Honda Cd200 vehicles fall between 15,909 and 40,516 miles.

1981 Honda Cd200 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 17 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (28% of peak).

61 17 2014 2021

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.

MOT History Averages

6.5
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.89
Avg failures per vehicle
2.2
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1981 Honda Cd200

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 28%
    Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 11.7%
    Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 10.2%
    Steering headbearing has slight free play
  • 8.1%
    Steering movement slightly 'notchy'
  • 8.1%
    Motorcycle structure slightly corroded
  • 7.5%
    Wheel alignment slightly misaligned.
  • 6.9%
    Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
  • 6.6%
    Drive chain slightly loose

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1981. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Honda Cd200?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Honda Cd200:

1980