Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The XL700's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.6 points since 2011, 91.9% to 89.3%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XL700 passes first time 93.9% of the time; by 40k that's 79.7%.
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 XL700
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
34 | 23.3 | 0.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
29 | 19.9 | 0.9× |
| steering and suspension |
|
18 | 12.3 | 0.4× |
| suspension |
|
17 | 11.6 | 1.4× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
12 | 8.2 | 0.4× |
| steering |
|
9 | 6.2 | 1.3× |
| drive system |
|
8 | 5.5 | 0.5× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
7 | 4.8 | 0.1× |
| tyres |
|
7 | 4.8 | 0.6× |
| structure and attachments |
|
5 | 3.4 | 0.4× |
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
On first-time pass rate the XL700 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 XL700.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2011 (91.8%). Lowest: 2008 (86.8%). Every XL700 year compared →
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 XL700 FAQ
Is the HONDA XL700 reliable?
The HONDA XL700 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.5% of its 1,444 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1449 of 5428 models.
What does a XL700 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 23% of all defects recorded against failed XL700 tests.
What is the best year of XL700 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (91.8%) and 2008 worst (86.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a XL700 last?
The median XL700 shows 15,426 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 79.7% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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