2012 Honda CB 1000 RA-C 1.0L Petrol · EK12 ACF

The 2012 Honda CB 1000 RA-C presents a concerning picture of recurring mechanical issues despite a generally clean record over its fourteen-year lifespan. Two consecutive MOT failures occurred just one week apart in February 2026, followed by a passing test in June 2024 and back to failure in February 2026 before the current clean pass on 20 February 2026. This tight clustering of negative results—particularly the serious fluid leak from the nearside front shock absorber combined with persistent front tyre wear and subsequent oil misting on the offside front shock—suggests underlying systemic problems rather than intermittent minor faults. While the car has managed to achieve a passing result at the very end of the record period, the pattern of repeated failures within a narrow timeframe indicates that fundamental issues have not been resolved, and the vehicle's roadworthiness remains compromised. The recorded mileage of 23,503 miles for a fourteen-year-old vehicle represents approximately 1,679 miles per annum, which is anomalously low given the typical usage patterns expected for a production motorcycle of this class. Such a modest annual accumulation rate strongly implies that the vehicle has spent significant portions of its life in storage or under light usage conditions, yet the presence of active mechanical failures during the last few years raises questions about whether the low mileage reflects genuine infrequent operation or, alternatively, deferred maintenance where critical components have deteriorated while sitting idle. The gap between the 2022 and 2023 passes offers no indication of improved reliability, and the 2024 pass itself noted a slightly loose drive chain alongside front brake binding, confirming that wear patterns have not stabilised even when the car appears to be coming through periodic inspections. The most critical components requiring immediate attention are the suspension system and braking hardware. The nearside front shock absorber suffered a serious fluid leak on 17 February 2026, which typically manifests as a loss of damping performance leading to increased body roll, uneven ride quality, and potentially reduced handling confidence during cornering. The offside front shock showing a light misting of oil on the same day points to internal seal deterioration and should be inspected for growing leakage into the chassis or transmission housing. Additionally, the front tyres were repeatedly flagged as worn close to the legal limit across three separate MOTs, indicating progressive tread degradation that may compromise braking distance and lateral stability. On a test drive, the buyer should pay particular attention to how the bike handles bumps—any noticeable hunching or bottoming out would suggest continuing damage to the front suspension geometry—and monitor the brake pedal for any subtle binding or pulsation that could indicate developing brake caliper issues. Beyond the suspension and brake systems, the exhaust noise reported across every MOT entry (both the failed and passing tests) warrants investigation regardless of source, as it could indicate underlying engine management or catalytic converter problems that may become more severe under sustained load. The current 2026-02-20 passing result confirms that the vehicle cleared the initial safety threshold, but it does not resolve the earlier failures, meaning that the mechanical deficiencies remain present even though the latest test was successful. A thorough physical inspection of the shocks, tyres, and brake components is essential before considering this motorcycle fit for purchase, and the buyer should also verify that the drive chain tension was properly re-adjusted following the 2024-06-11 inspection, as prolonged chain slack can exacerbate vibration and bearing wear. Given the combination of active shock leaks, tyre wear, brake binding, and persistent exhaust noise, the overall roadworthiness assessment leans toward caution, and the vehicle requires substantial refurbishment of its suspension and braking systems to reach an acceptable level of safety.