Honda CBR 500 RA-K MOT pass rate and common failures
Honda CBR 500 RA-K motorcycles pass the MOT 89.77% of the time, measured across 352 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.26% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with missing - it accounts for 42.9% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check less than 1.0 mm thick and tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (9.1% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 11,465 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 | 90.84% | 273 | |
| 6-10 years | 86.08% | 79 |
Why the Honda CBR 500 RA-K 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 | Missing | 42.9% | 9 | |
| 2 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 19% | 4 | |
| 3 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 19% | 4 | |
| 4 | Fluid level below minimum level | 14.3% | 3 | |
| 5 | Fouling on the fuel tank or bodywork on full lock | 14.3% | 3 | |
| 6 | Insecure | 14.3% | 3 | |
| 7 | Not working | 14.3% | 3 | |
| 8 | Too low | 14.3% | 3 | |
| 9 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 9.5% | 2 | |
| 10 | Flashing more than 120 times a minute | 9.5% | 2 |
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 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 9.1% | 32 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 5.7% | 20 | |
| 3 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 5.1% | 18 | |
| 4 | Excessively loose | 4% | 14 | |
| 5 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 3.4% | 12 | |
| 6 | Is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied | 2.6% | 9 | |
| 7 | Has a serious fluid leak | 2.3% | 8 | |
| 8 | Excessively tight | 1.7% | 6 | |
| 9 | Worn to excess | 1.7% | 6 | |
| 10 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 1.1% | 4 |
Honda CBR 500 RA-K for sale
No Honda CBR 500 RA-K in stock at the moment - 74 other Honda bikes are advertised.
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