Honda GL1200 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda GL1200 car check
Is the Honda GL1200 reliable? We analysed 6,154 real MOT tests across 774 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda GL1200? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda GL1200 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda GL1200.
Honda GL1200 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda GL1200. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda GL1200 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda GL1200 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda GL1200 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda GL1200 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda GL1200 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda GL1200 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda GL1200 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda GL1200 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 63 | 73.0% | 49,366 | 57,077 | 61,830 |
| 1990 | 121 | 88.4% | 29,965 | 38,106 | 69,546 |
| 1989 | 442 | 83.9% | 32,790 | 41,842 | 56,996 |
| 1988 | 376 | 84.0% | 44,664 | 55,885 | 75,702 |
| 1987 | 648 | 83.2% | 40,719 | 56,508 | 70,111 |
| 1986 | 1,205 | 83.9% | 37,680 | 54,444 | 66,376 |
| 1985 | 1,264 | 83.6% | 44,359 | 57,756 | 71,376 |
| 1984 | 1,769 | 83.6% | 44,875 | 59,619 | 76,454 |
How Long Does a Honda GL1200 Last?
Based on 774 Honda GL1200 vehicles on UK roads.
Honda GL1200 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda GL1200 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 GL1200
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.4% MOT pass rate from 121 tests
73.0% MOT pass rate from 63 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda GL1200 is 1990, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.4% across 121 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda GL1200 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda GL1200 THIS CAR | 83.8% | 6,154 | 55,918 mi | 42 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 |
| Volkswagen Golf GT Edition TDI | 89.7% | 2,119 | 39,307 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda GL1200 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda GL1200 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 GL1200Should you buy a used Honda GL1200?
The Honda GL1200 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.8% across 6,154 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 GL1200 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (139 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (126), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (61). 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 GL1200 owner drives around 578 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 GL1200 models stay on UK roads for around 42 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.