HONDA VTX 1300 S-5

1312cc Petrol Class 2

#1448 of 5426 overall #174 of 921 HONDAs #881 of 2787 other bikes

88.5%

first-time pass rate

5.5%

failed outright

12,904

median miles at test

873

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2025

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

how the VTX 1300 S-5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

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

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the VTX 1300 S-5 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 1300 S-5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (90.3% pass). Weakest: 2006 (84.6%).

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

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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 #1448 of 5426 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 — mileage alone rarely kills one.