HONDA VTX 1800C

1795cc Petrol Class 2

#1748 of 5426 overall #227 of 921 HONDAs #1058 of 2787 other bikes

87.5%

first-time pass rate

6.7%

failed outright

14,730

median miles at test

4,643

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The VTX 1800C's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (88.6% → 88.3%).

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage VTX 1800C passes first time 91.2% of the time; by 50k that's 75.7%.

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 1800C

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	143	24.9	0.5×
lighting and signalling	117	20.3	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	84	14.6	0.8×
tyres and wheels	66	11.5	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	47	8.2	1.3×
tyres	37	6.4	1.0×
reg plates and vin	27	4.7	0.9×
suspension	22	3.8	0.6×
steering and suspension	18	3.1	0.1×
structure and attachments	14	2.4	0.4×

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 1800C beats 1 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 1800C.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (93.2% pass). Weakest: 2006 (81.1%).

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 1800C FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA VTX 1800C reliable?

The HONDA VTX 1800C is more reliable than average for its class: 87.5% of its 4,643 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1748 of 5426 models.

What does a VTX 1800C fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 25% of all defects recorded against failed VTX 1800C tests.

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

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (93.2%) and 2006 worst (81.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VTX 1800C last?

The median VTX 1800C shows 14,730 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.