HONDA XL700V

699cc Petrol Class 2

#2264 of 5426 overall #322 of 921 HONDAs #1406 of 2787 other bikes

85.8%

first-time pass rate

7.7%

failed outright

14,065

median miles at test

325

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the XL700V's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XL700V passes first time 94.2% of the time; by 20k that's 79.1%.

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 XL700V

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lamps and reflectors	18	30
brakes	16	26.7
structure and attachments	8	13.3
tyres	5	8.3
suspension	3	5
steering and suspension	3	5
drive system	2	3.3
lighting and signalling	2	3.3
reg plates and vin	2	3.3
tyres and wheels	1	1.7

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 XL700V beats 3 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 HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 XL700V.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (88.0% pass). Weakest: 2010 (82.5%).

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.