Honda XL650 MOT pass rate and common failures
Honda XL650 motorcycles pass the MOT 84.94% of the time, measured across 385 tests in the DVSA record. A further 5.71% 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 61.1% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check excessively binding and less than 1.0 mm thick, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is excessively binding (6% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 30,908 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 | 84.86% | 383 |
Why the Honda XL650 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 | 61.1% | 22 | |
| 2 | Excessively binding | 13.9% | 5 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 13.9% | 5 | |
| 4 | So loose it is likely to fail | 11.1% | 4 | |
| 5 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 8.3% | 3 | |
| 6 | Fouling on the fuel tank or bodywork on full lock | 8.3% | 3 | |
| 7 | Has excessive play | 8.3% | 3 | |
| 8 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 8.3% | 3 | |
| 9 | Insecure | 8.3% | 3 | |
| 10 | Missing | 8.3% | 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 | Excessively binding | 6% | 23 | |
| 2 | Excessively loose | 4.7% | 18 | |
| 3 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 4.2% | 16 | |
| 4 | Worn to excess | 4.2% | 16 | |
| 5 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 3.9% | 15 | |
| 6 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 3.6% | 14 | |
| 7 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 2.9% | 11 | |
| 8 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 2.9% | 11 | |
| 9 | Significantly and obviously worn | 2.6% | 10 | |
| 10 | Has a major leak of exhaust gases | 2.3% | 9 |
Honda XL650 for sale
No Honda XL650 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB 397-750cc · 397-750cc | 5,400 | 89.76% | 19,444 | |
| Honda NC · 741cc | 5,311 | 89.53% | 22,765 | |
| 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 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method