Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Honda Vtx 1300s?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 Honda Vtx 1300s?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 Honda Vtx 1300s?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2004 Honda Vtx 1300s reliable?

Based on MOT data from 131 vehicles, the 2004 Honda Vtx 1300s has a first-time MOT pass rate of 88.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Honda Vtx 1300s?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Honda Vtx 1300s (2004)

131 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.6% first-time pass rate

2004 Honda Vtx 1300s

CarHunch analysed 131 real MOT records for the 2004 Honda Vtx 1300s. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2004 Honda VTX 1300S posts an 88.6% first-time pass rate, well above the UK average of 80%, which is a solid indicator of underlying reliability. Dangerous defects have appeared in 17.6% of these bikes over their lifetime—a moderate concern but not alarming, and nothing that screams "avoid at all costs."

These VTX 1300s are running very low mileage for their age at 13,596 miles median, suggesting many have been cherished garage queens rather than hard-ridden commuters. The average bike racks up 1.55 failures and 4.5 advisories per test, pointing to minor wear items and routine maintenance needs rather than structural problems—budget for regular servicing, but don't expect major surprises.

We have limited data for the 2004 Honda Vtx 1300s — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these cars have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

88.6%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

17.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.55

Over 11.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

14k

Middle half: 9k–20k

For context

These stats describe 131 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 131 Honda Vtx 1300s cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Honda Vtx 1300s

Based on MOT data from 131 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 17.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch →

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Honda Vtx 1300s vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

13,596

typical

9,216

low mileage

19,936

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Honda Vtx 1300s vehicles fall between 9,216 and 19,936 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 9,216 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 9,216–19,936 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Honda Vtx 1300ss sit.

⚠ Over 26,913 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Honda Vtx 1300s — Still on the Road

Most 2004 Honda Vtx 1300ss are still being driven.

52 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 72% 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.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.55

Avg failures per vehicle

4.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Honda Vtx 1300s stacks up against a rival.

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