HONDA XL600 VR
Pass rate over time
The XL600 VR's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.2 points since 2006, 94.4% to 88.2%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XL600 VR passes first time 83.0% of the time; by 50k that's 69.8%.
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 XL600 VR
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
35 | 32.7 |
| brakes |
|
23 | 21.5 |
| steering and suspension |
|
17 | 15.9 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
11 | 10.3 |
| drive system |
|
7 | 6.5 |
| tyres |
|
4 | 3.7 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
4 | 3.7 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
3 | 2.8 |
| driving controls |
|
2 | 1.9 |
| reg plates and vin |
|
1 | 0.9 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the XL600 VR beats 2 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 XL600 VR.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1995 (81.0% pass). Weakest: 1994 (79.7%).
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.