Honda CMX 500 A-L MOT pass rate and common failures

Honda CMX 500 A-L motorcycles pass the MOT 95.56% of the time, measured across 360 tests in the DVSA record. A further 2.78% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Better than average: 8.7 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 95.56% 344 of 360

Fixed at the station 2.78% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 6,147 miles

Average age at test 4.2 years old

Engine 471cc MOT class 1 and 2

For sale now 0 Honda CMX 500 A-L adverts

What to check before the MOT

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

Start with too high - it accounts for 83.3% of failed tests on this model.
Then check does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls and excessively loose, 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 (5.3% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 6,147 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	95.56%		360

Why the Honda CMX 500 A-L 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	Too high	83.3%	5
2	Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls	33.3%	2
3	Excessively loose	33.3%	2
4	Less than 1.0 mm thick	33.3%	2
5	Not working	33.3%	2
6	Does not immediately illuminate all main beam headlamps	16.7%	1
7	Fouling on the fuel tank or bodywork on full lock	16.7%	1
8	Incorrect which adversely affects the steering	16.7%	1
9	Missing	16.7%	1
10	Operating incorrectly	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	Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition	5.3%	19
2	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	4.2%	15
3	Less than 1.0 mm thick	2.2%	8
4	Worn to excess	1.4%	5
5	Has a serious fluid leak	1.1%	4
6	Tread not clearly visible	1.1%	4
7	Nail in tyre	0.8%	3
8	Excessively loose	0.6%	2
9	Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort	0.6%	2
10	Chain guard missing	0.3%	1

Honda CMX 500 A-L for sale

No Honda CMX 500 A-L in stock at the moment - 74 other Honda bikes are advertised.

Used Honda CMX 500 A-L 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 CMX 500 A-L MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda CMX 500 A-L?+

95.56% of Honda CMX 500 A-L MOT tests end in a pass, based on 360 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Honda CMX 500 A-L?+

Too high, which appears in 83.3% 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.