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Honda Xbr500g (1986)

120 real MOT outcomes analysed • 11.3% first-time pass rate

1986 Honda Xbr500g

CarHunch analysed 120 real MOT records for the 1986 Honda Xbr500g. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1986 Honda XBR500G has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 11.3%, vastly below the UK average of 80%, making it a fundamentally unreliable choice for everyday use—though the tiny dangerous defect rate of 0.8% suggests catastrophic failures are rare. The petrol variants in this cohort perform identically poorly at 9.0% pass rate.

These bikes typically carry around 34,400 miles on the clock, and the very low failure count (0.04 per vehicle) masks the real problem: most don't make it through MOT at all rather than failing on specific faults. If you're considering one, budget for a full pre-purchase inspection by a specialist mechanic and expect significant work to get it through its first test.

Below average reliability 68.7% below UK average
11.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
34,422
typical mileage
25,963–48,596 middle half
0.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.04
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.5 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1986 Honda Xbr500g

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 Xbr500g

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (98%) 117 9.1% 0.04
Other (3%) 3 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1986 Honda Xbr500g 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.

25,963
low mileage
34,422
typical
48,596
high mileage

Half of all 1986 Honda Xbr500g vehicles fall between 25,963 and 48,596 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.5
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.04
Avg failures per vehicle
0.3
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Honda Xbr500g

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 25%
    Exhaust noisy
  • 25%
    Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
  • 18.8%
    Drive chain slightly loose
  • 18.8%
    Headlamp aim too high
  • 12.5%
    Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
  • 12.5%
    Rear shock absorber has a light misting
  • 12.5%
    Offside Front Direction indicator damaged but function not impaired
  • 12.5%
    Rear Brake lining(s) close to minimum limit

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Honda Xbr500g?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK