Honda Slr650 (1998)
1998 Honda Slr650
CarHunch analysed 226 real MOT records for the 1998 Honda Slr650. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Honda SLR650 passes its MOT first time in only 69.4% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, suggesting these nearly 30-year-old machines need careful pre-purchase inspection. With 10.2% of vehicles having suffered dangerous defects, reliability concerns aren't trivial, though they're manageable with proper maintenance history checks.
At 18,142 miles median mileage, these bikes are surprisingly lightly used for their age, which should work in your favour—but the average 1.42 failures per test indicates mechanical wear is still inevitable. Before committing, request full service records and budget for a pre-purchase inspection by a Honda specialist, as the high advisory rate (3.8 per vehicle) points to age-related niggles that add up quickly.
What to check before buying a 1998 Honda Slr650
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Honda Slr650
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 225 | 69.3% | 1.43 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Honda Slr650 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1998 Honda Slr650 vehicles fall between 12,258 and 26,992 miles.
1998 Honda Slr650 — Still on the Road
47 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 53% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Honda Slr650
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
38.4%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
27.4%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
20.2%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
-
17.1%
Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
-
12%
Front Brake disc(s) slightly worn
-
11.6%
Drive chain slightly loose
-
11.3%
Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
-
10.3%
Rear Drive chain sprocket slightly worn
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Slr650?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.