1997 Honda CBR600F 0.6L Petrol · R198 AOJ
1997 Honda CBR600F (0.6L, petrol). First registered 01 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 49,750 miles. MOT valid until 24 May 2027. Taxed until 01 Jun 2027.
- Make & Model
- HONDA CBR600F
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 24 May 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Jun 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 49,750 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 0.6L
- Reliability Guide
- Available on IAGC
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R198 AOJ Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 26/05/2026
- 49,750 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring exhaust & emissions items (4 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R198 AOJ MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Honda Cbr600F (R198 AOJ) between May 2023 and May 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 26 May 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Exhaust & Emissions (4 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Suspension (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 12 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Front Wheel bearing play so excessive it is likely to break up (5.1.3 (a) (ii))”; “Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (5.2.3 (i))”.
R198 AOJ Mileage History
- 27/05/202340,854 mi
- 14/06/202443,148 mi+2,294 mi
- 14/06/202443,148 mi
- 26/05/202649,750 mi+6,602 mi
- 26/05/202649,750 mi
Average of roughly 2,967 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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MOT Roadworthiness: Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with caution on this 1997 Honda
Given that this bike has recorded two MOT failures in the last three tests, any buyer should treat this as a project or enthusiast purchase rather than a turnkey commuter. Insist on seeing evidence of work carried out to address the front wheel bearing (the 2026 fail was for 'excessive play likely to break up' — a major safety defect), the exhaust leak (a recurring advisory across both 2024 and 2026), and the rear shock absorber's reduced damping. Walk away or negotiate hard if no receipts exist for these repairs. Pay particular attention to the drive chain and sprocket condition — both flagged as worn in 2026 — and budget for replacement if not already done. As a 1997 sports bike now nearly three decades old, factor in the cost of tyres, brake components, fluids, and aged rubber throughout the bike, not just the items flagged at MOT. A pre-purchase inspection by a motorcycle mechanic familiar with older Hondas is strongly recommended.
Insurance for a 600cc sports bike from 1997 will depend heavily on the rider's experience, but group ratings for middleweight sports bikes of this era typically sit in the higher brackets. Fuel economy on a CBR600F is generally in the mid-40s mpg range if ridden sensibly, dropping significantly with spirited use — at 4,448 miles per year as the MOT history suggests, fuel costs could be modest at roughly £400-£600 annually. Road tax is minimal for a pre-2001 bike (no VED band, just the standard £20 annual rate). Maintenance is where costs will accumulate: replacement chain and sprocket sets (£120-£200), tyres (£150-£250 a pair), and brake components will be recurring expenses, and a 29-year-old machine may also need electrical refurbishment, suspension refresh, and occasional replacement of perished rubber items.
Prioritise a close inspection of the front wheel bearing — the 2026 fail cited play so excessive it was 'likely to break up', which is a dangerous defect; confirm the bearing has been replaced and the wheel spins freely with no play or roughness. Inspect the rear shock absorber for leaks, sagging, or uneven damping (flagged with reduced damping effect in 2026), and check the exhaust system front pipe and joint for the source of the recurring minor leak (advised in 2024 and 2026). Examine the drive chain for tight spots, excessive slack, and sprocket tooth profile (both flagged as worn in 2026), and verify the sidewall direction and fitment of the front tyre is correct — the 2024 fail noted an incorrectly fitted front tyre. Beyond the MOT-specific items, inspect brake pads and discs, fork seals, all electrical items and switches, and the condition of any aged rubber hoses.
This yellow 1997 Honda CBR600F has covered 49,750 miles across three MOT tests (2023, 2024, 2026), with two failures recorded and several repeat advisories around exhaust leaks and drive chain/sprocket wear. The most recent test (26 May 2026) failed outright due to a dangerous front wheel bearing defect and was then re-presented and passed — though advisories for the wheel bearing were not separately recorded on the pass. Mileage progression from 40,854 to 49,750 over three years (around 4,448 miles per year) is modest, suggesting limited use in recent years. No aggregate reliability data is available for this model, so the assessment relies solely on the individual MOT history.
No aggregate MOT data is available for the Honda CBR600F, so model-level reliability cannot be quantified; the CBR600F is, however, historically regarded among enthusiasts as a mechanically durable middleweight sport bike.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Vehicle & Plate History
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