HONDA VTX 1800

1795cc Petrol Class 2

#1269 of 5426 overall #152 of 921 HONDAs #775 of 2787 other bikes

89.0%

first-time pass rate

4.4%

failed outright

17,108

median miles at test

427

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the VTX 1800's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VTX 1800 passes first time 91.6% 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 1800

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	16	44.4
lamps and reflectors	6	16.7
lighting and signalling	5	13.9
structure and attachments	2	5.6
tyres and wheels	2	5.6
tyres	1	2.8
reg plates and vin	1	2.8
fuel and exhaust	1	2.8
audible warning (Horn)	1	2.8
steering	1	2.8

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the VTX 1800 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI GSX1400, SUZUKI GSX1300R, HONDA ST1300).

SUZUKI GSX1400 88.3% pass · 56.8k tests SUZUKI GSX1300R 86.3% pass · 48.4k tests HONDA ST1300 89.7% pass · 32.1k tests YAMAHA FJR1300A 90.2% pass · 27.9k 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 1800.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (90.1% pass). Weakest: 2005 (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.