HONDA XL600 VT
Pass rate over time
The XL600 VT's first-time pass rate has fallen 7.6 points since 2006, 85.0% to 77.4%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XL600 VT passes first time 97.4% of the time; by 50k that's 83.8%.
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 VT
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering and suspension |
|
19 | 25.3 |
| brakes |
|
17 | 22.7 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
15 | 20 |
| lighting and signalling |
|
8 | 10.7 |
| drive system |
|
6 | 8 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
4 | 5.3 |
| driving controls |
|
2 | 2.7 |
| suspension |
|
2 | 2.7 |
| structure and attachments |
|
1 | 1.3 |
| steering |
|
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
On first-time pass rate the XL600 VT beats 4 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 VT.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1996 (85.0% pass). Weakest: 1997 (79.2%).
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.