Model report · 2005–2025
HONDA XL500S
498cc
Petrol
Class 2
73.4%
first-time pass rate
14.0%
failed outright
23,100
median miles at test
143
MOT tests, 2005–2025
What fails on a XL500S
failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
20 | 51.3 |
| steering and suspension |
|
5 | 12.8 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
4 | 10.3 |
| brakes |
|
3 | 7.7 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
2 | 5.1 |
| body and structure |
|
2 | 5.1 |
| reg plates and vin |
|
1 | 2.6 |
| tyres |
|
1 | 2.6 |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
1 | 2.6 |
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 XL500S beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
KAWASAKI
ZX-6R
78.1% pass · 174k tests
SUZUKI
GSF600
77.3% pass · 143k tests
YAMAHA
FZS600
82.6% pass · 137k tests
SUZUKI
SV650S
80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 XL500S.
Pass rate by registration year
how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date
Best year to buy used: 1981 (78.1% pass). Weakest: 1981 (78.1%).
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.