Honda XBR500 MOT pass rate and common failures

Honda XBR500 motorcycles pass the MOT 90.51% of the time, measured across 295 tests in the DVSA record. A further 5.08% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Better than average: 3.6 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 90.51% 267 of 295

Fixed at the station 5.08% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 35,989 miles

Average age at test 37.65 years old

Engine 500cc MOT class 1 and 2

For sale now 1 Honda XBR500 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 53.8% of failed tests on this model.
Then check insecure and too high, 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 (3.4% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 35,989 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	90.44%		293

Why the Honda XBR500 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	53.8%	7
2	Insecure	38.5%	5
3	Too high	30.8%	4
4	Has a serious fluid leak	23.1%	3
5	Contaminated	15.4%	2
6	Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls	15.4%	2
7	Flashing more than 120 times a minute	15.4%	2
8	Remains on when the brakes are released	15.4%	2
9	Seriously damaged	15.4%	2
10	Component has excessive wear or free play	7.7%	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	3.4%	10
2	Has a serious fluid leak	3.1%	9
3	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	2.7%	8
4	Pin or bush excessively worn	2%	6
5	Is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied	1.7%	5
6	Excessively loose	1.4%	4
7	Excessively stiff or notchy	1.4%	4
8	Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort	1.4%	4
9	Has a major leak of exhaust gases	1%	3
10	Significantly and obviously worn	1%	3

Honda XBR500 for sale

1 Honda XBR500 adverts on MotoDealers UK right now, 74 Honda in total.

Used Honda XBR500 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
Honda CB 397-750cc · 397-750cc	5,400	89.76%	19,444
Suzuki GSF600 · 600cc	4,890	80%	29,308
Honda CBR600F · 599cc	4,710	85.56%	30,651
Kawasaki ZX-6R · 599-636cc	4,510	81.62%	26,019
Suzuki SV650 · 646cc	3,834	80.99%	27,644
Suzuki GSXR600 · 599cc	3,831	81.83%	25,077

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

Honda XBR500 MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda XBR500?+

90.51% of Honda XBR500 MOT tests end in a pass, based on 295 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Honda XBR500?+

Not working, which appears in 53.8% 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.