Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Honda XL 650 V 4?

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 XL 650 V 4?

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 XL 650 V 4?

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.

How many 2004 Honda XL 650 V 4 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

20% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2004 Honda XL 650 V 4 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 138 vehicles, the 2004 Honda XL 650 V 4 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 87.2%, 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 XL 650 V 4?

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 XL 650 V 4 (2004)

138 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.2% first-time pass rate

2004 Honda XL 650 V 4

CarHunch analysed 138 real MOT records for the 2004 Honda XL 650 V 4. 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 Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2004 Honda XL 650 V-4 falls slightly below the UK average with a first-time pass rate of 77.2% versus 80%, and one in five of these bikes have recorded a dangerous defect during their MOT history—a higher-than-comfortable proportion that warrants a careful pre-purchase inspection. Petrol versions (which make up the vast majority) pass at 74.9%, suggesting mechanical issues are reasonably common for this age and model.

At a median mileage of just 15,860 miles, these are relatively lightly used bikes, yet they're still averaging 1.53 failures and 5.8 advisories per test, indicating age-related wear rather than hard use is the culprit. Before committing to a 20-year-old example, factor in a full pre-MOT service and budget for suspension, brakes and electrical gremlins—the three areas that typically plague adventure bikes of this vintage.

We have limited data for the 2004 Honda XL 650 V 4 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles 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

87.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

20.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.53

Over 10.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

16k

Middle half: 11k–26k

For context

These stats describe 138 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 138 Honda XL 650 V 4 cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Honda XL 650 V 4

Based on MOT data from 138 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 20.3% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (89%)	123	86.1%	1.69

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Honda XL 650 V 4 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.

15,860

typical

11,073

low mileage

26,253

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Honda XL 650 V 4 vehicles fall between 11,073 and 26,253 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 11,073 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.

✓ 11,073–26,253 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Honda XL 650 V 4s sit.

⚠ Over 35,441 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 XL 650 V 4 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 68% of 2004 Honda XL 650 V 4s are still active.

50 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 68% 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

10.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.53

Avg failures per vehicle

5.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Honda XL 650 V 4 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?