HONDA VTX 1300S

1312cc Petrol Class 2

#2050 of 5426 overall #277 of 921 HONDAs #1247 of 2787 other bikes

86.5%

first-time pass rate

7.5%

failed outright

13,686

median miles at test

4,442

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The VTX 1300S's first-time pass rate has risen 6.7 points since 2006, 81.8% to 88.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage VTX 1300S passes first time 90.6% of the time; by 50k that's 75.8%.

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 1300S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	144	25.2	0.6×
tyres and wheels	101	17.7	1.0×
lighting and signalling	99	17.3	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	94	16.4	0.8×
tyres	45	7.9	1.4×
reg plates and vin	24	4.2	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	24	4.2	0.7×
structure and attachments	18	3.1	0.6×
driving controls	13	2.3	1.2×
Identification of the vehicle	10	1.7	1.0×

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 1300S 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 1300S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (93.0% pass). Weakest: 2004 (84.9%).

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 1300S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA VTX 1300S reliable?

The HONDA VTX 1300S is about average for its class: 86.5% of its 4,442 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2050 of 5426 models.

What does a VTX 1300S fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 25% of all defects recorded against failed VTX 1300S tests.

What is the best year of VTX 1300S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (93.0%) and 2004 worst (84.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VTX 1300S last?

The median VTX 1300S shows 13,686 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.