HONDA XL 1000 VA-5

996cc Petrol Class 2

90.3%

first-time pass rate

6.9%

failed outright

16,369

median miles at test

175

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the XL 1000 VA-5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XL 1000 VA-5 passes first time 95.1% of the time; by 20k that's 90.6%.

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 XL 1000 VA-5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lamps and reflectors	7	22.6
brakes	6	19.4
lighting and signalling	5	16.1
tyres and wheels	3	9.7
steering	2	6.5
fuel and exhaust	2	6.5
steering and suspension	2	6.5
tyres	2	6.5
structure and attachments	1	3.2
suspension	1	3.2

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 XL 1000 VA-5 beats 3 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 XL 1000 VA-5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (98.1% pass). Weakest: 2005 (88.8%).

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.