Honda CB 500 FA-M MOT pass rate and common failures

Honda CB 500 FA-M motorcycles pass the MOT 94.34% of the time, measured across 212 tests in the DVSA record. A further 2.83% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Better than average: 7.5 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 94.34% 200 of 212

Fixed at the station 2.83% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 9,479 miles

Average age at test 3.87 years old

Engine 471cc MOT class 1 and 2

For sale now 0 Honda CB 500 FA-M adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

Start with less than 1.0 mm thick - it accounts for 50% of failed tests on this model.
Then check inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps and missing, the next two most common reasons.
The most common advisory is excessively loose (4.7% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 9,479 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.

Pass rate by age

A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.

Age at test	Pass rate		Tests
3-5 years	94.34%		212

Why the Honda CB 500 FA-M fails

Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.

#	Item	Of failures	Tests
1	Less than 1.0 mm thick	50%	3
2	Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps	33.3%	2
3	Missing	33.3%	2
4	Too high	33.3%	2
5	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	33.3%	2
6	Brake efficiency less than 27.5% overall	16.7%	1
7	Does not conform to the specified requirements	16.7%	1
8	Effort inadequate at a wheel	16.7%	1
9	Excessively loose	16.7%	1
10	Flashing more than 120 times a minute	16.7%	1

Most common advisories

Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.

#	Item	Of all tests	Tests
1	Excessively loose	4.7%	10
2	Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition	2.8%	6
3	Less than 1.0 mm thick	2.4%	5
4	Worn to excess	2.4%	5
5	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	1.9%	4
6	Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort	1.4%	3
7	Tread not clearly visible	1.4%	3
8	Has a serious fluid leak	0.9%	2
9	Is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied	0.9%	2
10	Seriously damaged	0.9%	2

Honda CB 500 FA-M for sale

No Honda CB 500 FA-M in stock at the moment - 74 other Honda bikes are advertised.

Used Honda CB 500 FA-M Used Honda All Honda Honda MOT statistics

Similar bikes compared

Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.

Model	Tests	Pass rate	Avg mileage
Honda CB 397-750cc · 397-750cc	5,400	89.76%	19,444
Suzuki GSF600 · 600cc	4,890	80%	29,308
Honda CBR600F · 599cc	4,710	85.56%	30,651
Suzuki GSXR600 · 599cc	3,831	81.83%	25,077
Honda CBR 471-650cc · 471-650cc	3,603	86.48%	17,329
Yamaha FZS600 · 599cc	3,548	84.02%	32,611

Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method

Honda CB 500 FA-M MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda CB 500 FA-M?+

94.34% of Honda CB 500 FA-M MOT tests end in a pass, based on 212 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Honda CB 500 FA-M?+

Less than 1.0 mm thick, which appears in 50% of failed tests on this model.

Where does this data come from?+

From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.

Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+

Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.