HONDA XL1000

998cc Petrol Class 2

#2792 of 5426 overall #429 of 921 HONDAs #1762 of 2787 other bikes

83.8%

first-time pass rate

9.2%

failed outright

19,022

median miles at test

476

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2011–2017

The XL1000's first-time pass rate has risen 1.3 points since 2011, 84.4% to 85.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the XL1000's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XL1000 passes first time 92.3% of the time; by 40k that's 74.2%.

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 XL1000

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	27	35.1
tyres and wheels	13	16.9
steering and suspension	10	13
structure and attachments	7	9.1
lighting and signalling	7	9.1
fuel and exhaust	4	5.2
lamps and reflectors	3	3.9
tyres	3	3.9
drive system	2	2.6
suspension	1	1.3

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 XL1000 beats 1 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 XL1000.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (91.1% pass). Weakest: 2007 (83.8%).

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.