MOT History from tests of petrol HONDA CX500s year 1981

Review the list of common HONDA CX500 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your HONDA then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:79.11%

(The average a petrol HONDA CX500 year 1981 passes without issue)

Based on:4,408 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	158
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	68
Registration plate issues	41
Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	40
Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	33
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	33
Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	30
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey \|7.1.1b\|	26
Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	25
Offside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	24
Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	24
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	23
Nearside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	20
Front Floor brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.C2c\|	17
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the wheel raised \|2.2.1b\|	17
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	17
Front Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	15
Throttle operating incorrectly \|6.2.1f\|	15
Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	14
Front wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.3.5b\|	14
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	14
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. \|3.3.A2b\|	13
Offside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	13
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	13
Nearside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	13
Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	12
Rear wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.4.A.2b\|	12
Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	12
Rear suspension component excessively corroded. \|2.4.A.1a\|	11
Rear suspension has corrosion which reduces the strength of a load bearing member or its supporting structure. \|2.4.A.2d\|	10
Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	9
Registration plate lamp issues	9
Rear Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	9
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam \|1.2.2a\|ii\|\|	9
Front Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	8
Nearside Rear Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	8
Offside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	8
Front Floor brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.C2c\|	7
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.2.4\|	7
Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. \|2.3.6c\|	7
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1b\|	7
Rear Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	7
Rear Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	7
Rear Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	7
Nearside Steering lock stop ineffective \|2.1.3\|	7
Locking devices not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	7
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.1a\|	7
Front Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	7
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	7
Rear Brake locking device missing \|3.2.A1e\|	7
Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	6
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	6
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	6
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	6
Front Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	6
Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))	6
Throttle has a significant change in engine speed whilst moving the steering from lock to lock \|2.1.4\|	5
Rear Brake reaction bracket insecure \|3.2.A1j\|	5
Front Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.A1a\|	5
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	5
Front Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	5
Exhaust excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	5
Riders seat insecure \|6.2.1a\|	5
Front suspension has excessive stiffness in the suspension movement. \|2.3.6b\|	5
Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))	5
Offside Front Brake disc\|s\| friction surface contaminated by oil or grease \|3.2.A1k\|	5
Rear Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	5
Exhaust mounting does not fully support the exhaust system \|7.1.1.c\|	5
Motorcycle structure excessively corroded \|6.1.1a\|	5
Front Brake master cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid \|3.2.B1e\|	5
Rear Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.A1a\|	5
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	5
Rear Motorcycle structure excessively corroded \|6.1.1a\|	5
Front Hydraulic brake control feels spongy \|3.1.4a\|	4
Front Brake lever cannot be applied smoothly \|3.1.3d\|	4
Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	4
Rear Stop lamp affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2\|	4
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	4
Stop lamp does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls (4.3.2 (a) (iii))	4
Nearside Rear Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	4
Front Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort \|3.3.A1d\|	4
Rear Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. \|2.4.A.3b\|	4
Rear Footrest missing \|6.2.1a\|	4
Front Throttle operating incorrectly \|6.2.1f\|	4
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.7.3a\|	4
Rear suspension bearing has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	4
Floor brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. \|3.3.C1b\|	4
Front Brake disc\|s\| friction surface contaminated by oil or grease \|3.2.A1k\|	4
Front wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.3.5a\|	4
Front Front wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.3.3a\|	4
Nearside Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	3
Front wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.3.3a\|	3
Rear Brake reaction bracket securing bolt\|s\| loose \|3.2.A1j\|	3
Indicator switch defective \|1.5.4\|	3
Brake locking device missing \|3.2.A1e\|	3
front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Front Brake excessively binding \|1.2.1 \|f\|\|	3
Front Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. \|2.3.6c\|	3
Offside Steering lock stop ineffective \|2.1.3\|	3
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	3
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	3
Offside Rear Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	3
Rear Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey \|7.1.1b\|	3
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition \|7.1.2\|	3
Front Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam \|1.2.2a\|ii\|\|	3
Headlamp insecure \|1.2.3b\|	3
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Rear Stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	3
Rear Brake lining\|s\| less than 1.5 mm thick \|3.2.A1f\|i\|\|	3
All position lamps do not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3
Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. \|2.4.A.3b\|	3
Front Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	3
Offside Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	3
Stop lamp affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2\|	3
Front Roller brake test indicates brake effort rise disproportional to brake lever or pedal effort \|3.3.A1c\|	3
Rear reflector missing \|4.8.2 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	3
Offside Steering lock stop maladjusted \|2.1.3\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	3
Rear All position lamps do not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	158
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	68
Registration plate issues	41
Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	40
Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	33
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	33
Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	30
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey \|7.1.1b\|	26
Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	25
Offside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	24
Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	24
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	23
Nearside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	20
Front Floor brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.C2c\|	17
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the wheel raised \|2.2.1b\|	17
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	17
Front Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	15
Throttle operating incorrectly \|6.2.1f\|	15
Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	14
Front wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.3.5b\|	14
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	14
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. \|3.3.A2b\|	13
Offside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	13
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	13
Nearside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	13
Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	12
Rear wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.4.A.2b\|	12
Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	12
Rear suspension component excessively corroded. \|2.4.A.1a\|	11
Rear suspension has corrosion which reduces the strength of a load bearing member or its supporting structure. \|2.4.A.2d\|	10
Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	9
Registration plate lamp issues	9
Rear Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	9
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam \|1.2.2a\|ii\|\|	9
Front Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	8
Nearside Rear Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	8
Offside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	8
Front Floor brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.C2c\|	7
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.2.4\|	7
Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. \|2.3.6c\|	7
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1b\|	7
Rear Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	7
Rear Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	7
Rear Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	7
Nearside Steering lock stop ineffective \|2.1.3\|	7
Locking devices not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	7
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.1a\|	7
Front Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	7
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	7
Rear Brake locking device missing \|3.2.A1e\|	7
Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	6
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	6
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	6
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	6
Front Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	6
Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))	6
Throttle has a significant change in engine speed whilst moving the steering from lock to lock \|2.1.4\|	5
Rear Brake reaction bracket insecure \|3.2.A1j\|	5
Front Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.A1a\|	5
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	5
Front Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	5
Exhaust excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	5
Riders seat insecure \|6.2.1a\|	5
Front suspension has excessive stiffness in the suspension movement. \|2.3.6b\|	5
Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))	5
Offside Front Brake disc\|s\| friction surface contaminated by oil or grease \|3.2.A1k\|	5
Rear Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	5
Exhaust mounting does not fully support the exhaust system \|7.1.1.c\|	5
Motorcycle structure excessively corroded \|6.1.1a\|	5
Front Brake master cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid \|3.2.B1e\|	5
Rear Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.A1a\|	5
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	5
Rear Motorcycle structure excessively corroded \|6.1.1a\|	5
Front Hydraulic brake control feels spongy \|3.1.4a\|	4
Front Brake lever cannot be applied smoothly \|3.1.3d\|	4
Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	4
Rear Stop lamp affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2\|	4
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	4
Stop lamp does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls (4.3.2 (a) (iii))	4
Nearside Rear Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	4
Front Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort \|3.3.A1d\|	4
Rear Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. \|2.4.A.3b\|	4
Rear Footrest missing \|6.2.1a\|	4
Front Throttle operating incorrectly \|6.2.1f\|	4
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.7.3a\|	4
Rear suspension bearing has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	4
Floor brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. \|3.3.C1b\|	4
Front Brake disc\|s\| friction surface contaminated by oil or grease \|3.2.A1k\|	4
Front wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.3.5a\|	4
Front Front wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.3.3a\|	4
Nearside Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	3
Front wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.3.3a\|	3
Rear Brake reaction bracket securing bolt\|s\| loose \|3.2.A1j\|	3
Indicator switch defective \|1.5.4\|	3
Brake locking device missing \|3.2.A1e\|	3
front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Front Brake excessively binding \|1.2.1 \|f\|\|	3
Front Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. \|2.3.6c\|	3
Offside Steering lock stop ineffective \|2.1.3\|	3
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	3
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	3
Offside Rear Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	3
Rear Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey \|7.1.1b\|	3
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition \|7.1.2\|	3
Front Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam \|1.2.2a\|ii\|\|	3
Headlamp insecure \|1.2.3b\|	3
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Rear Stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	3
Rear Brake lining\|s\| less than 1.5 mm thick \|3.2.A1f\|i\|\|	3
All position lamps do not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3
Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. \|2.4.A.3b\|	3
Front Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	3
Offside Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	3
Stop lamp affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2\|	3
Front Roller brake test indicates brake effort rise disproportional to brake lever or pedal effort \|3.3.A1c\|	3
Rear reflector missing \|4.8.2 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	3
Offside Steering lock stop maladjusted \|2.1.3\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	3
Rear All position lamps do not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3

MOT History from tests of petrol HONDA CX500s year 1981

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