CarVerify

Free Car Check

A540 SDM

1983 Honda CB400N

Red Petrol 395cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Apr 2027
Tests20 (12 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

48,099 mi
Last recorded48,099 miles
Recorded on15 Apr 2026
Typical for 1983 Honda CB400N36,026 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Honda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationA540 SDM
MakeHonda
ModelCB400N
Year1983
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine395cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

12 pass 8 fail
Pass 15 Apr 2026 48,099 miles

Drive chain sprocket slightly loose (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Front Brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Front Brake fluid reservoir fluid level below minimum level (1.1.10 (d) (i))

Nearside Front brake hose mount missing

Pass 14 Apr 2025 47,505 miles

Rear Drive chain sprocket slightly loose (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Fail 14 Apr 2025 47,505 miles

Front Brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Rear Drive chain sprocket slightly loose (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 18 Apr 2024 46,727 miles
Fail 18 Apr 2024 46,727 miles

Front Brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Pass 31 Oct 2022 45,864 miles

Drive chain sprocket slightly loose (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Fail 4 Oct 2022 45,858 miles

Drive chain sprocket excessively loose cush drive (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Pass 5 Oct 2021 44,902 miles

Front Brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Front Brake lever worn, but not excessively (1.1.15 (b))

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Footrest slightly loose (6.2.12 (a))

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 12 Oct 2020 43,947 miles
Pass 7 Aug 2019 43,704 miles
Pass 8 Aug 2018 42,883 miles

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 25 May 2017 41,377 miles
Fail 25 May 2017 41,377 miles

Headlamp aim too low (1.6)

Locking device(s) not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride (6.2.1h)

Pass 25 May 2016 40,416 miles

chain split link loose

Fail 25 May 2016 40,416 miles

Headlamp aim too high (1.6)

chain split link loose

Pass 25 May 2015 39,467 miles

light cracks on front tyre

Fail 23 May 2015 39,461 miles

Front Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake (3.3.A1a) DANGEROUS

Front Steering headbearing has excessive free play (2.2.2)

light cracks on front tyre

Pass 4 Feb 2012 38,323 miles
Fail 28 Jan 2012 38,314 miles

Brake fluid reservoir leaking hydraulic fluid (3.2.B1e) DANGEROUS

Front Roller brake test indicates brake effort fall disproportional to brake lever or pedal effort (3.3.A1c) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Upper Brake pipe union leaking fluid (3.2.B4) DANGEROUS

Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (1.3.1a) DANGEROUS

Headlamp aim too high (1.6)

Fail 17 Jun 2006 38,274 miles

Front Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel (3.1.3b)

Nearside Rear Footrest insecure (6.2.1a)

Offside Rear Footrest insecure (6.2.1a)

How Reliable is the Honda CB400N?

Based on 6,477 MOT tests across 1,063 vehicles.

81.4%
Pass Rate
317
Miles/Year
50
Year Lifespan
1,063
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 107
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 63
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 57
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 51
Drive chain excessively loose 49
Full Honda CB400N reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

A540 SDM is a 1983 Honda CB400N in Red with a 395cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1983 Honda CB400N models, the average MOT pass rate is 83.5% with a typical mileage of 36,026 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Honda CB400N fails its MOT is shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, accounting for 107 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A540 SDM, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Honda CB400N typically stays on UK roads for around 50 years. At 43 years old, this Honda CB400N is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A540 SDM?

You can check the full history of A540 SDM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A540 SDM registered?

A540 SDM is a 1983 Honda CB400N, first registered on 3 August 1983.

Is A540 SDM safe to buy?

The MOT history for A540 SDM shows 20 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A540 SDM have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on A540 SDM. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.