1981 Honda Xl185s MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Xl185s models manufactured in 1981, based on 111 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1981 Honda Xl185s MOT Analysis
The 1981 Honda Xl185s has an MOT pass rate of 75.7% based on 111 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 15,282 miles on the odometer. With a 24.3% failure rate, the 1981 Xl185s is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1981 Honda Xl185s is Motorcycle suspension, responsible for 1.8% of failures. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs range from £200–500. Motorcycle wheels is the second most common issue at 1.8%. Motorcycle structure and attachments follows at 0.9%.
Top failures specific to 1981 models only. The overall Xl185s 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 Suspension | 1.8% | 2 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Wheels | 1.8% | 2 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 0.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 15,282 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 suspension | 1.18 | 1.8% | 2 |
| Motorcycle wheels | 1.18 | 1.8% | 2 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 0.59 | 0.9% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1981 Honda Xl185s has an MOT pass rate of 75.7% based on 111 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 15,282 miles on the odometer. With a 24.3% failure rate, the 1981 Xl185s is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1981 Honda Xl185s, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to motorcycle suspension: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks. With relatively low average mileage of 15,282 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Motorcycle suspension — 1.8% of failures
Motorcycle suspension issues account for 1.8% of MOT failures on 1981 Honda Xl185s models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Motorcycle wheels — 1.8% of failures
Motorcycle wheels issues account for 1.8% of MOT failures on 1981 Honda Xl185s 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 structure and attachments — 0.9% of failures
Motorcycle structure and attachments issues account for 0.9% of MOT failures on 1981 Honda Xl185s models. Motorcycle structure and attachments issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.