Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Honda Vt750?

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 1998 Honda Vt750?

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 1998 Honda Vt750?

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 1998 Honda Vt750 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 120 vehicles, the 1998 Honda Vt750 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 85.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 Honda Vt750?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Honda Vt750 are: Exhaust noisy (88.4% of vehicles), Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (63.1% of vehicles), Drive chain slightly loose (44% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Honda Vt750?

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 Vt750 (1998)

120 real MOT outcomes analysed • 85.6% first-time pass rate

1998 Honda Vt750

CarHunch analysed 120 real MOT records for the 1998 Honda Vt750. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 1998 Honda VT750 passes its MOT first time in 85.6% of cases, comfortably ahead of the UK average of 80%, which suggests these bikes are generally well-maintained and reliable. However, 17.5% have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a meaningful concern for buyers—you'll want a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

At an average mileage of 18,596, these 26-year-old machines are running relatively light, which partly explains the solid pass rate, though the 1.84 average failures per test indicates wear-related issues do crop up. Focus your inspection on the advisory list—an average of 5.4 per bike—as these often hint at cumulative maintenance needs; budget for brake and suspension work on a bike of this age.

We have limited data for the 1998 Honda Vt750 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

85.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

17.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.84

Over 12.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

17k

Middle half: 10k–27k

For context

These stats describe 120 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.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 120 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 88.4%

Exhaust noisy

Tyre wear 63.1%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Lighting 44%

Drive chain slightly loose · Headlamp aim too low · Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps · …

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Brake wear 21.2%

Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake · Front Brake binding but not excessively · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 11.6%

Drive chain worn but not considered excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 120 Honda Vt750 cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Honda Vt750

Based on MOT data from 120 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 17.5% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Honda Vt750 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.

17,294

typical

9,535

low mileage

26,944

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Honda Vt750 vehicles fall between 9,535 and 26,944 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 9,535 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.

✓ 9,535–26,944 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Honda Vt750s sit.

⚠ Over 36,374 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Honda Vt750 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 63% of 1998 Honda Vt750s are still active.

41 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 63% 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

12.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.84

Avg failures per vehicle

5.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Honda Vt750: All Vt750 years → Which year to buy? →

1997 1999 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Or browse all models: Honda →

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Honda Vt750 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?