Honda XL Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda XL car check
Is the Honda XL reliable? We analysed 3,619 real MOT tests across 559 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda XL? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda XL is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda XL.
Honda XL Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda XL. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda XL MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda XL to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda XL Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda XL fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda XL Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Honda XL models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Honda XL Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda XL owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda XL MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda XL year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 58 | 82.8% | 5,300 | 11,975 | 17,082 |
| 2017 | 401 | 85.5% | 6,251 | 11,609 | 18,912 |
| 2016 | 174 | 78.7% | 7,346 | 13,569 | 21,044 |
| 2014 | 84 | 90.5% | 7,717 | 11,844 | 23,993 |
| 2013 | 77 | 92.2% | 7,422 | 13,916 | 18,055 |
| 2012 | 83 | 97.6% | 4,608 | 10,026 | 29,704 |
| 2011 | 117 | 87.2% | 7,360 | 13,812 | 23,134 |
| 2010 | 127 | 87.4% | 8,120 | 14,001 | 32,754 |
| 2009 | 96 | 83.3% | 5,036 | 8,968 | 20,084 |
| 2008 | 242 | 85.5% | 11,286 | 20,459 | 32,132 |
| 2007 | 204 | 84.3% | 7,622 | 21,390 | 37,843 |
| 2006 | 123 | 77.2% | 14,390 | 24,116 | 37,696 |
| 2005 | 91 | 83.5% | 15,608 | 18,562 | 29,310 |
| 2004 | 191 | 85.9% | 9,245 | 18,682 | 37,561 |
| 2003 | 97 | 92.8% | 8,212 | 25,990 | 45,838 |
| 2002 | 51 | 82.4% | 18,382 | 38,069 | 49,172 |
| 2001 | 103 | 85.4% | 25,103 | 35,708 | 42,688 |
| 2000 | 68 | 80.9% | 16,954 | 24,320 | 30,510 |
| 1999 | 56 | 80.4% | 17,134 | 21,863 | 44,633 |
| 1998 | 83 | 80.7% | 20,818 | 42,244 | 55,572 |
How Long Does a Honda XL Last?
Based on 559 Honda XL vehicles on UK roads.
Honda XL Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda XL 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 XL
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
97.6% MOT pass rate from 83 tests
77.2% MOT pass rate from 123 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda XL is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 97.6% across 83 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda XL Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda XL THIS CAR | 84.7% | 3,619 | 17,385 mi | 47 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 |
| Vauxhall Crossland Elite Nav | 87.4% | 2,238 | 44,200 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda XL outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda XL 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 XLShould you buy a used Honda XL?
The Honda XL has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.7% across 3,619 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 XL are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (27 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (16), and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (14). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Honda XL with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Honda XL owner drives around 754 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 XL models stay on UK roads for around 47 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.