HONDA GL1200

1200cc Petrol Class 2

#3334 of 5426 overall #572 of 921 HONDAs #2126 of 2787 other bikes

81.2%

first-time pass rate

14.6%

failed outright

51,450

median miles at test

1,370

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The GL1200's first-time pass rate has risen 2.1 points since 2006, 81.0% to 83.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GL1200's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GL1200 passes first time 84.6% of the time; by 50k that's 82.0%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a GL1200

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	187	41.7	1.9×
steering and suspension	63	14.1	1.2×
lighting and signalling	54	12.1	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	47	10.5	1.6×
suspension	32	7.1	2.7×
tyres and wheels	25	5.6	0.8×
tyres	14	3.1	1.4×
fuel and exhaust	10	2.2	0.8×
steering	8	1.8	1.4×
driving controls	8	1.8	2.5×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the GL1200 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the GL1200.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1987 (83.2% pass). Weakest: 1989 (76.6%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

HONDA GL1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA GL1200 reliable?

The HONDA GL1200 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.2% of its 1,370 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3334 of 5426 models.

What does a GL1200 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 42% of all defects recorded against failed GL1200 tests.

What is the best year of GL1200 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1987-registered examples do best (83.2%) and 1989 worst (76.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GL1200 last?

The median GL1200 shows 51,450 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 82.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.