HONDA GL650

673cc Petrol Class 2

81.6%

first-time pass rate

12.5%

failed outright

34,865

median miles at test

152

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the GL650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GL650 passes first time 81.1% of the time; by 40k that's 73.0%.

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 GL650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	12	26.1
lamps and reflectors	9	19.6
tyres and wheels	6	13
suspension	5	10.9
steering and suspension	4	8.7
tyres	3	6.5
Identification of the vehicle	2	4.3
lighting and signalling	2	4.3
structure and attachments	2	4.3
steering	1	2.2

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 GL650 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 GL650.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1983 (85.0% pass). Weakest: 1983 (85.0%).

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.