Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The GL500's first-time pass rate has risen 6.2 points since 2006, 77.1% to 83.3%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage GL500 passes first time 80.2% of the time; by 50k that's 71.0%.
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 GL500
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| steering and suspension |
|
205 | 29 | 2.9× |
| brakes |
|
183 | 25.8 | 1.8× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
136 | 19.2 | 1.2× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
66 | 9.3 | 1.7× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
35 | 4.9 | 0.7× |
| body and structure |
|
25 | 3.5 | 2.5× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
25 | 3.5 | 1.8× |
| suspension |
|
15 | 2.1 | 1.0× |
| structure and attachments |
|
9 | 1.3 | 0.7× |
| tyres |
|
9 | 1.3 | 0.8× |
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
On first-time pass rate the GL500 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 GL500.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1984 (80.6%). Lowest: 1981 (73.1%). Every GL500 year compared →
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 GL500 FAQ
Is the HONDA GL500 reliable?
The HONDA GL500 is less reliable than average for its class: 75.4% of its 1,700 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4260 of 5428 models.
What does a GL500 fail its MOT on most?
steering and suspension: 29% of all defects recorded against failed GL500 tests.
What is the best year of GL500 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1984-registered examples do best (80.6%) and 1981 worst (73.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a GL500 last?
The median GL500 shows 39,489 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 71.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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