Honda GL1500 MOT pass rate and common failures

Honda GL1500 motorcycles pass the MOT 91.15% of the time, measured across 531 tests in the DVSA record. A further 1.32% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Better than average: 4.3 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 91.15% 484 of 531

Fixed at the station 1.32% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 54,498 miles

Average age at test 29.8 years old

Engine 1,515cc MOT class 2

For sale now 0 Honda GL1500 adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

Start with not working - it accounts for 22.5% of failed tests on this model.
Then check the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25% and has a serious fluid leak, the next two most common reasons.
The most common advisory is has a major leak of exhaust gases (3.4% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 54,498 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.

Pass rate by age

A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.

Age at test	Pass rate		Tests
16+ years	91.15%		531

Why the Honda GL1500 fails

Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.

#	Item	Of failures	Tests
1	Not working	22.5%	9
2	The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%	22.5%	9
3	Has a serious fluid leak	15%	6
4	Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls	10%	4
5	Has insufficient reserve travel	10%	4
6	Has no recorded effort at a wheel	10%	4
7	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	10%	4
8	Contaminated	7.5%	3
9	Too high	7.5%	3
10	Does not conform to the specified requirements	5%	2

Most common advisories

Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.

#	Item	Of all tests	Tests
1	Has a major leak of exhaust gases	3.4%	18
2	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	3.4%	18
3	Less than 1.0 mm thick	3.2%	17
4	Excessively binding	3%	16
5	Has a serious fluid leak	2.6%	14
6	In such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2.6%	14
7	Significantly and obviously worn	2.6%	14
8	Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort	2.1%	11
9	Seriously damaged	1.3%	7
10	Excessively stiff or notchy	0.9%	5

Honda GL1500 for sale

No Honda GL1500 in stock at the moment - 74 other Honda bikes are advertised.

Used Honda GL1500 Used Honda All Honda Honda MOT statistics

Similar bikes compared

Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.

Model	Tests	Pass rate	Avg mileage
BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc	9,796	91.92%	40,594
BMW R1200 · 1,170cc	9,521	94.43%	28,830
BMW R1250 · 1,254cc	6,764	96.17%	17,373
BMW R 1200 · 1,170cc	6,170	95.28%	27,241
Triumph BONNEVILLE 1200cc · 1196-1200cc	5,527	91.62%	8,342
Suzuki GSF1200 · 1,159cc	4,061	84.68%	29,337

Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method

Honda GL1500 MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda GL1500?+

91.15% of Honda GL1500 MOT tests end in a pass, based on 531 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Honda GL1500?+

Not working, which appears in 22.5% of failed tests on this model.

Where does this data come from?+

From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.

Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+

Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.