HONDA GL1800A

1832cc Petrol Class 2

#775 of 5426 overall #90 of 921 HONDAs #471 of 2787 other bikes

90.6%

first-time pass rate

6.3%

failed outright

32,970

median miles at test

1,932

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The GL1800A's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.9 points since 2006, 88.1% to 85.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GL1800A's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GL1800A passes first time 94.3% of the time; by 50k that's 89.4%.

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 GL1800A

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	51	24.1	0.4×
lighting and signalling	43	20.3	0.4×
steering and suspension	36	17	0.6×
tyres and wheels	32	15.1	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	17	8	0.4×
suspension	12	5.7	0.7×
tyres	8	3.8	0.5×
reg plates and vin	7	3.3	0.5×
steering	3	1.4	0.4×
structure and attachments	3	1.4	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 GL1800A beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI GSX1400, SUZUKI GSX1300R, YAMAHA FJR1300A).

SUZUKI GSX1400 88.3% pass · 56.8k tests SUZUKI GSX1300R 86.3% pass · 48.4k tests YAMAHA FJR1300A 90.2% pass · 27.9k tests YAMAHA FJR1300 87.5% pass · 25.9k 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 GL1800A.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (97.3% pass). Weakest: 2003 (87.6%).

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 GL1800A FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA GL1800A reliable?

The HONDA GL1800A is more reliable than average for its class: 90.6% of its 1,932 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #775 of 5426 models.

What does a GL1800A fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 24% of all defects recorded against failed GL1800A tests.

What is the best year of GL1800A to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (97.3%) and 2003 worst (87.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GL1800A last?

The median GL1800A shows 32,970 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 89.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.