Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA VTX 1300 S-5
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 VTX 1300 S-5's first-time pass rate has fallen 9.6 points since 2008, 92.0% to 82.4%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage VTX 1300 S-5 passes first time 93.4% of the time; by 30k that's 82.9%.
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 1300 S-5
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
18 | 25 | 0.4× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
15 | 20.8 | 0.7× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
14 | 19.4 | 0.7× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
8 | 11.1 | 0.2× |
| structure and attachments |
|
5 | 6.9 | 0.7× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
3 | 4.2 | 1.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
3 | 4.2 | 0.1× |
| suspension |
|
3 | 4.2 | 0.3× |
| tyres |
|
2 | 2.8 | 0.3× |
| driving controls |
|
1 | 1.4 | 0.5× |
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 VTX 1300 S-5 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).
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 1300 S-5.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2007 (90.3%). Lowest: 2006 (84.6%). Every VTX 1300 S-5 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 VTX 1300 S-5 FAQ
Is the HONDA VTX 1300 S-5 reliable?
The HONDA VTX 1300 S-5 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.5% of its 873 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1449 of 5428 models.
What does a VTX 1300 S-5 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 25% of all defects recorded against failed VTX 1300 S-5 tests.
What is the best year of VTX 1300 S-5 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (90.3%) and 2006 worst (84.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a VTX 1300 S-5 last?
The median VTX 1300 S-5 shows 12,904 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 82.9% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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