HONDA VTR1000

998cc Petrol Class 2

#3028 of 5426 overall #495 of 921 HONDAs #1921 of 2787 other bikes

82.7%

first-time pass rate

9.8%

failed outright

25,591

median miles at test

2,832

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The VTR1000's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2005 (87.2% → 87.7%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the VTR1000's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VTR1000 passes first time 89.3% of the time; by 50k that's 80.6%.

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 VTR1000

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	163	27.8	0.9×
brakes	112	19.1	0.7×
steering and suspension	107	18.2	1.0×
tyres and wheels	66	11.2	1.0×
reg plates and vin	38	6.5	1.7×
lamps and reflectors	27	4.6	0.5×
drive system	22	3.7	0.9×
fuel and exhaust	22	3.7	0.9×
suspension	21	3.6	0.8×
steering	9	1.5	0.7×

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 VTR1000 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 VTR1000.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2002 (92.5% pass). Weakest: 1971 (75.4%).

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 VTR1000 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA VTR1000 reliable?

The HONDA VTR1000 is less reliable than average for its class: 82.7% of its 2,832 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3028 of 5426 models.

What does a VTR1000 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 28% of all defects recorded against failed VTR1000 tests.

What is the best year of VTR1000 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2002-registered examples do best (92.5%) and 1971 worst (75.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VTR1000 last?

The median VTR1000 shows 25,591 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 80.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.