Honda VTR1000 SP MOT pass rate and common failures
Honda VTR1000 SP motorcycles pass the MOT 90.95% of the time, measured across 652 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.75% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with not working - it accounts for 75% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check missing and has a serious fluid leak, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (11.3% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 22,262 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 | 90.95% | 652 |
Why the Honda VTR1000 SP 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 | 75% | 21 | |
| 2 | Missing | 28.6% | 8 | |
| 3 | Has a serious fluid leak | 25% | 7 | |
| 4 | Obviously incorrectly positioned | 14.3% | 4 | |
| 5 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 10.7% | 3 | |
| 6 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 10.7% | 3 | |
| 7 | Excessively binding | 10.7% | 3 | |
| 8 | Excessively tight | 10.7% | 3 | |
| 9 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 10.7% | 3 | |
| 10 | Too low | 10.7% | 3 |
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 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 11.3% | 74 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 4.1% | 27 | |
| 3 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 2.5% | 16 | |
| 4 | Has a serious fluid leak | 2.5% | 16 | |
| 5 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 2% | 13 | |
| 6 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 1.7% | 11 | |
| 7 | Excessively binding | 1.4% | 9 | |
| 8 | Excessively loose | 0.9% | 6 | |
| 9 | Tread not clearly visible | 0.8% | 5 | |
| 10 | Has a major leak of exhaust gases | 0.6% | 4 |
Honda VTR1000 SP for sale
No Honda VTR1000 SP in stock at the moment - 74 other Honda bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph TIGER · 969cc | 16,144 | 91.27% | 22,934 | |
| Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc | 12,456 | 90.8% | 12,824 | |
| BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc | 9,796 | 91.92% | 40,594 | |
| BMW R1200 · 1,170cc | 9,521 | 94.43% | 28,830 | |
| BMW S 1000 · 999cc | 8,445 | 91.96% | 15,282 | |
| BMW R1250 · 1,254cc | 6,764 | 96.17% | 17,373 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method