BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ HONDA/XBR500-H
Model report · 2005–2025

HONDA XBR500-H

499cc Petrol Class 2
83.2%
first-time pass rate
8.9%
failed outright
34,908
median miles at test
191
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the XBR500-H's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XBR500-H passes first time 82.0% of the time; by 40k that's 84.8%.

77%81%86%20k: 82.0% pass (50 tests)30k: 78.1% pass (32 tests)40k: 84.8% pass (46 tests)20k30k40k

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 XBR500-H

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
lighting and signalling
13 28.9
brakes
11 24.4
steering and suspension
5 11.1
body and structure
5 11.1
steering
4 8.9
drive system
2 4.4
lamps and reflectors
2 4.4
tyres and wheels
1 2.2
driving controls
1 2.2
reg plates and vin
1 2.2

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 XBR500-H beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

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 XBR500-H.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1988 (89.2% pass). Weakest: 1987 (78.9%).

77%84%91%1987: 78.9% pass (95 tests)1988: 89.2% pass (74 tests)19871988

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.