Honda XL 1000 Va-B vs BMW R1150

The Honda XL 1000 Va-B passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 89.7% vs 88.5%, a 1.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Honda XL 1000 Va-B	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	89.7%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	7.7%	6.8%
Median miles at test	15,659	33,151
MOT tests analysed	718	170,963
Most common failure	brakes	brakes

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

HONDA XL 1000 VA-B 89.7% pass · 718 tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.