HONDA XR 650 R3

649cc Petrol Class 2

#2089 of 5426 overall #288 of 921 HONDAs #1277 of 2787 other bikes

86.4%

first-time pass rate

6.1%

failed outright

6,192

median miles at test

280

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a XR 650 R3

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	12	32.4
lamps and reflectors	8	21.6
lighting and signalling	7	18.9
steering and suspension	3	8.1
suspension	2	5.4
driving controls	1	2.7
reg plates and vin	1	2.7
steering	1	2.7
drive system	1	2.7
audible warning (Horn)	1	2.7

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 XR 650 R3 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 XR 650 R3.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (84.8% pass). Weakest: 2003 (84.8%).

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.