Model report · 2005–2025
HONDA GL1500-K
1520cc
Petrol
Class 2
92.6%
first-time pass rate
5.1%
failed outright
50,377
median miles at test
136
MOT tests, 2005–2025
What fails on a GL1500-K
failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
8 | 72.7 |
| lighting and signalling |
|
1 | 9.1 |
| reg plates and vin |
|
1 | 9.1 |
| tyres |
|
1 | 9.1 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
same type, similar capacity, high test volume
On first-time pass rate the GL1500-K beats 3 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-K.
Pass rate by registration year
how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date
Best year to buy used: 1991 (94.7% pass). Weakest: 1991 (94.7%).
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.