HONDA VTX

1300cc Petrol Class 2

#2120 of 5426 overall #293 of 921 HONDAs #1301 of 2787 other bikes

86.3%

first-time pass rate

7.7%

failed outright

15,764

median miles at test

637

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2013–2025

The VTX's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.1 points since 2013, 85.3% to 79.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage VTX passes first time 90.2% of the time; by 30k that's 88.1%.

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 VTX

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	25	29.8	0.8×
lamps and reflectors	14	16.7	1.1×
lighting and signalling	11	13.1	0.3×
tyres and wheels	9	10.7	0.7×
tyres	8	9.5	1.8×
reg plates and vin	4	4.8	0.8×
Identification of the vehicle	4	4.8	2.7×
structure and attachments	4	4.8	0.9×
fuel and exhaust	3	3.6	0.6×
suspension	2	2.4	0.4×

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 VTX beats 2 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 VTX.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (89.9% pass). Weakest: 2004 (86.2%).

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 VTX FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA VTX reliable?

The HONDA VTX is about average for its class: 86.3% of its 637 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2120 of 5426 models.

What does a VTX fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 30% of all defects recorded against failed VTX tests.

What is the best year of VTX to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (89.9%) and 2004 worst (86.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VTX last?

The median VTX shows 15,764 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 88.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.