The picture

Cb500: above-average pass rates, with caveats

Across 1,619 MOT tests, the Cb500 returns 84.3% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. Rate of flashing not between 60 and a stop-lamp out round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 34,168, 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.

ABI Insurance Group

Group 10–26

Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.

Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →

10–26

out of 50

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Top ten reasons for rejection.

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01

A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely

32 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
02

Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute

17 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
03

Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

13 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
04

A lamp not securely attached

12 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
05

A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn

11 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
06

Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm

10 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
07

A stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released

10 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
08

Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute

9 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
09

A tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned likely which could cause sudden deflation of the tyre

9 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
10

A lamp missing or inoperative

8 occurrences · 0.3% 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.

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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

H7 / W21W bulb pack

A spare-bulb kit lives in the boot. Test morning is not the time to find your stop-lamp's gone.

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Parts & supplies for this fix

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Draper Drain Plug Key, 3/8 Square x 3/8 Sq. Dr.

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Buying or keeping a Cb500?

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 Cb500 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.