HONDA XL 1000 VA-B

996cc Petrol Class 2

#1047 of 5426 overall #120 of 921 HONDAs #641 of 2787 other bikes

89.7%

first-time pass rate

7.7%

failed outright

15,659

median miles at test

718

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2014–2025

The XL 1000 VA-B's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.4 points since 2014, 97.1% to 90.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage XL 1000 VA-B passes first time 97.1% of the time; by 30k that's 76.8%.

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-B

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	36	38.3	0.8×
suspension	20	21.3	3.2×
structure and attachments	9	9.6	1.4×
lamps and reflectors	9	9.6	0.6×
tyres and wheels	6	6.4	0.4×
tyres	6	6.4	1.2×
reg plates and vin	3	3.2	0.2×
steering	2	2.1	0.7×
lighting and signalling	2	2.1	0.1×
steering and suspension	1	1.1	—

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 XL 1000 VA-B 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-B.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (92.3% pass). Weakest: 2010 (84.5%).

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 XL 1000 VA-B FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA XL 1000 VA-B reliable?

The HONDA XL 1000 VA-B is more reliable than average for its class: 89.7% of its 718 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1047 of 5426 models.

What does a XL 1000 VA-B fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 38% of all defects recorded against failed XL 1000 VA-B tests.

What is the best year of XL 1000 VA-B to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (92.3%) and 2010 worst (84.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XL 1000 VA-B last?

The median XL 1000 VA-B shows 15,659 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 76.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.