HONDA XRV

742cc Petrol Class 2

#2050 of 5426 overall #277 of 921 HONDAs #1247 of 2787 other bikes

86.5%

first-time pass rate

9.0%

failed outright

35,244

median miles at test

613

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2021–2025

The XRV's first-time pass rate has risen 14.1 points since 2021, 76.8% to 90.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage XRV passes first time 92.6% of the time; by 50k that's 84.9%.

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 XRV

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	29	27.1	0.9×
lamps and reflectors	18	16.8	1.1×
lighting and signalling	14	13.1	0.4×
tyres and wheels	11	10.3	0.8×
structure and attachments	9	8.4	1.9×
steering and suspension	8	7.5	0.4×
suspension	7	6.5	1.3×
tyres	4	3.7	1.0×
steering	4	3.7	1.2×
drive system	3	2.8	0.7×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the XRV beats 4 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 TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 XRV.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1998 (88.9% pass). Weakest: 1997 (88.2%).

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.

HONDA XRV FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA XRV reliable?

The HONDA XRV is about average for its class: 86.5% of its 613 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2050 of 5426 models.

What does a XRV fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 27% of all defects recorded against failed XRV tests.

What is the best year of XRV to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1998-registered examples do best (88.9%) and 1997 worst (88.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XRV last?

The median XRV shows 35,244 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 84.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.