HONDA VTX 1800 C-5

1795cc Petrol Class 2

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

88.5%

first-time pass rate

5.7%

failed outright

10,613

median miles at test

751

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2009–2023

The VTX 1800 C-5's first-time pass rate has risen 14.3 points since 2009, 77.1% to 91.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VTX 1800 C-5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VTX 1800 C-5 passes first time 91.0% of the time; by 30k that's 80.0%.

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 C-5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	19	22.9	0.9×
tyres and wheels	14	16.9	0.7×
lighting and signalling	13	15.7	0.4×
brakes	11	13.3	0.2×
reg plates and vin	8	9.6	0.9×
fuel and exhaust	6	7.2	1.1×
tyres	4	4.8	0.8×
audible warning (Horn)	3	3.6	2.2×
suspension	3	3.6	0.5×
steering and suspension	2	2.4	0.1×

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 1800 C-5 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 C-5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (91.8% pass). Weakest: 2008 (83.3%).

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 1800 C-5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA VTX 1800 C-5 reliable?

The HONDA VTX 1800 C-5 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.5% of its 751 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 1800 C-5 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 23% of all defects recorded against failed VTX 1800 C-5 tests.

What is the best year of VTX 1800 C-5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (91.8%) and 2008 worst (83.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VTX 1800 C-5 last?

The median VTX 1800 C-5 shows 10,613 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 80.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.