1981 Honda Xl MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Xl models manufactured in 1981, based on 91 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1981 Honda Xl MOT Analysis
The 1981 Honda Xl has an MOT pass rate of 85.7% based on 91 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 14,613 miles on the odometer. With a 14.3% failure rate, the 1981 Xl is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1981 Honda Xl is Motorcycle wheels, responsible for 2.2% of failures. Wheel failures include cracked or severely corroded alloy wheels, missing or loose wheel nuts, and wheels that are insecurely attached. These are safety-critical and relatively rare compared to tyre failures. Typical repair costs range from £100–400 per wheel. Motorcycle brakes is the second most common issue at 1.1%.
Top failures specific to 1981 models only. The overall Xl page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Wheels | 2.2% | 2 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Brakes | 1.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 14,613 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle wheels | 1.50 | 2.2% | 2 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 0.75 | 1.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1981 Honda Xl has an MOT pass rate of 85.7% based on 91 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 14,613 miles on the odometer. With a 14.3% failure rate, the 1981 Xl is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1981 Honda Xl, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to motorcycle wheels: Visually inspect wheels for cracks, especially around the spokes and rim. Check that all wheel nuts are present and tightened. Look for signs of impact damage on alloy wheels. With relatively low average mileage of 14,613 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Motorcycle wheels — 2.2% of failures
Motorcycle wheels issues account for 2.2% of MOT failures on 1981 Honda Xl models. Wheel failures include cracked or severely corroded alloy wheels, missing or loose wheel nuts, and wheels that are insecurely attached. These are safety-critical and relatively rare compared to tyre failures. Typical repair costs: £100–400 per wheel. Pre-MOT check: Visually inspect wheels for cracks, especially around the spokes and rim. Check that all wheel nuts are present and tightened. Look for signs of impact damage on alloy wheels.
Motorcycle brakes — 1.1% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 1.1% of MOT failures on 1981 Honda Xl models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.