HONDA GL1500

1520cc Petrol Class 2

#2050 of 5426 overall #277 of 921 HONDAs #1247 of 2787 other bikes

86.5%

first-time pass rate

10.0%

failed outright

52,598

median miles at test

9,175

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The GL1500's first-time pass rate has risen 3.6 points since 2005, 87.2% to 90.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GL1500's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GL1500 passes first time 85.1% of the time; by 50k that's 85.3%.

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 GL1500

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	750	44.2	1.3×
lighting and signalling	232	13.7	0.5×
tyres and wheels	193	11.4	0.9×
steering and suspension	193	11.4	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	107	6.3	0.6×
tyres	92	5.4	1.2×
suspension	49	2.9	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	38	2.2	0.5×
reg plates and vin	29	1.7	0.4×
structure and attachments	15	0.9	0.2×

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 GL1500 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, SUZUKI GSF1200).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests YAMAHA XJR1300 87.4% pass · 95.1k 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 GL1500.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1971 (91.7% pass). Weakest: 1988 (84.6%).

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 GL1500 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA GL1500 reliable?

The HONDA GL1500 is about average for its class: 86.5% of its 9,175 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2050 of 5426 models.

What does a GL1500 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 44% of all defects recorded against failed GL1500 tests.

What is the best year of GL1500 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1971-registered examples do best (91.7%) and 1988 worst (84.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GL1500 last?

The median GL1500 shows 52,598 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 85.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.