The picture
Cbr1000rr: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 3,275 MOT tests, the Cbr1000rr returns 85.5% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. Rate of flashing not between 60 and a non-conforming number plate round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 21,109, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
42 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 02
Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute
37 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 03
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
30 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 04
Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear
30 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 05
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
30 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 06
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
21 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 07
Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm
18 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 08
A stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released
17 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 09
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
16 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 10
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
14 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£75–£130
If every one of this Cbr1000rr's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
MOT-spec replacement number plate
Faded or non-standard plates fail outright. Replacements take ten minutes online with V5C details.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
Buying or keeping a Cbr1000rr?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Cbr1000rr and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.