Honda VTX 1800C MOT pass rate and common failures
Honda VTX 1800C motorcycles pass the MOT 87.96% of the time, measured across 216 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.63% 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 37.5% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check has a serious fluid leak and excessively binding, 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 (19.4% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 28,330 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 | 87.74% | 212 |
Why the Honda VTX 1800C 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 | 37.5% | 6 | |
| 2 | Has a serious fluid leak | 25% | 4 | |
| 3 | Excessively binding | 18.8% | 3 | |
| 4 | Too high | 18.8% | 3 | |
| 5 | Too low | 18.8% | 3 | |
| 6 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 12.5% | 2 | |
| 7 | Missing | 12.5% | 2 | |
| 8 | Seriously damaged | 12.5% | 2 | |
| 9 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 12.5% | 2 | |
| 10 | Contaminated | 6.3% | 1 |
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 | 19.4% | 42 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 7.4% | 16 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 4.2% | 9 | |
| 4 | Excessively binding | 3.2% | 7 | |
| 5 | Tread not clearly visible | 2.8% | 6 | |
| 6 | Has a serious fluid leak | 1.9% | 4 | |
| 7 | Seriously damaged | 1.9% | 4 | |
| 8 | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | 1.4% | 3 | |
| 9 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 1.4% | 3 | |
| 10 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 0.9% | 2 |
Honda VTX 1800C for sale
No Honda VTX 1800C 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki GSX1400 · 1,402cc | 2,352 | 91.54% | 26,720 | |
| Honda ST1300 · 1,261cc | 1,866 | 88.96% | 47,954 | |
| Triumph THUNDERBIRD 1600 · 1500-1800cc | 1,767 | 89.3% | 16,841 | |
| Suzuki GSX1300R · 1,300cc | 1,587 | 88.91% | 27,378 | |
| Harley-Davidson FLSTF · 1,507cc | 1,568 | 91.52% | 20,653 | |
| BMW K 1600 · 1,649cc | 1,484 | 95.62% | 19,181 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method