HONDA GL1200AE

1182cc Petrol Class 2

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

81.2%

first-time pass rate

14.3%

failed outright

56,486

median miles at test

1,381

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2020

The GL1200AE's first-time pass rate has risen 12.8 points since 2005, 72.2% to 85.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GL1200AE's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GL1200AE passes first time 90.0% of the time; by 50k that's 77.5%.

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 GL1200AE

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	192	40.3	2.0×
lighting and signalling	104	21.8	1.2×
steering and suspension	87	18.3	1.7×
tyres and wheels	49	10.3	1.5×
fuel and exhaust	13	2.7	1.0×
body and structure	7	1.5	1.1×
Items Not Tested	6	1.3	3.1×
driving controls	6	1.3	1.8×
lamps and reflectors	6	1.3	0.3×
reg plates and vin	6	1.3	0.4×

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 GL1200AE 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 GL1200AE.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1985 (84.1% pass). Weakest: 1986 (79.0%).

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 GL1200AE FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA GL1200AE reliable?

The HONDA GL1200AE is less reliable than average for its class: 81.2% of its 1,381 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3334 of 5426 models.

What does a GL1200AE fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 40% of all defects recorded against failed GL1200AE tests.

What is the best year of GL1200AE to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1985-registered examples do best (84.1%) and 1986 worst (79.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GL1200AE last?

The median GL1200AE shows 56,486 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 77.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.