Honda Xlr Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda Xlr car check
Is the Honda Xlr reliable? We analysed 715 real MOT tests across 117 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda Xlr? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda Xlr is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, brake disc(s) excessively worn and drive chain excessively loose. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Xlr.
Honda Xlr — specs & performance
Verified from DVLA & DVSA recordsA snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the Honda Xlr — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.
Engine & Performance
- Engine size
- 125cc
- Power
- 12 BHP
- Power (kW)
- 9 kW
- Fuel type
- Petrol
Body & Dimensions
- Body type
- Motorcycle
- Common colour
- White
- Wheel plan
- 2 Wheel
Fuel Economy
Tax & Emissions
- Emission class
- Not Available
- Road tax (12 mo.)
- £22
- Road tax (6 mo.)
- £N/A
Honda Xlr Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda Xlr. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda Xlr MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda Xlr to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda Xlr Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda Xlr fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda Xlr Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda Xlr owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda Xlr MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda Xlr year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 64 | 79.7% | 14,098 | 18,942 | 25,560 |
| 2002 | 51 | 76.5% | 17,073 | 21,150 | 36,668 |
| 1999 | 86 | 79.1% | 18,992 | 23,540 | 47,062 |
| 1998 | 121 | 77.7% | 12,532 | 19,513 | 25,801 |
How Long Does a Honda Xlr Last?
Based on 117 Honda Xlr vehicles on UK roads.
Honda Xlr Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda Xlr MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Honda Xlr
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.7% MOT pass rate from 64 tests
76.5% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda Xlr is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.7% across 64 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda Xlr Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Xlr THIS CAR | 81.5% | 715 | 17,908 mi | 28 yrs |
| Honda Civic | 73.7% | 9,391,580 | 74,987 mi | 34 yrs |
| Honda Jazz | 81% | 5,740,892 | 48,635 mi | 24 yrs |
| Honda Cr-v | 78.5% | 4,177,643 | 80,499 mi | 29 yrs |
| Kia Xceed 4 PHEV S-a | 90% | 701 | 28,641 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda Xlr outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda Xlr you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Honda XlrShould you buy a used Honda Xlr?
The Honda Xlr has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.5% across 715 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Honda Xlr are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (8 recorded failures), brake disc(s) excessively worn (8), and drive chain excessively loose (7). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Honda Xlr owner drives around 323 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Honda Xlr models stay on UK roads for around 28 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.