Honda XL 700 VA-8 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda XL 700 VA-8 car check
Is the Honda XL 700 VA-8 reliable? We analysed 3,915 real MOT tests across 392 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda XL 700 VA-8? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda XL 700 VA-8 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda XL 700 VA-8.
Honda XL 700 VA-8 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda XL 700 VA-8. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda XL 700 VA-8 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda XL 700 VA-8 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda XL 700 VA-8 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda XL 700 VA-8 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda XL 700 VA-8 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Honda XL 700 VA-8 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Honda XL 700 VA-8 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda XL 700 VA-8 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda XL 700 VA-8 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda XL 700 VA-8 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 110 | 92.7% | 4,921 | 11,768 | 21,499 |
| 2009 | 597 | 92.6% | 9,111 | 16,558 | 28,943 |
| 2008 | 2,915 | 88.2% | 9,211 | 15,817 | 26,156 |
| 2007 | 189 | 92.6% | 15,034 | 21,086 | 30,550 |
How Long Does a Honda XL 700 VA-8 Last?
Based on 392 Honda XL 700 VA-8 vehicles on UK roads.
Honda XL 700 VA-8 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda XL 700 VA-8 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 700 VA-8
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.7% MOT pass rate from 110 tests
88.2% MOT pass rate from 2,915 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda XL 700 VA-8 is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.7% across 110 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 88.2% — 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 700 VA-8 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda XL 700 VA-8 THIS CAR | 89.5% | 3,915 | 16,129 mi | 19 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 |
| Seat Leon FR Sport Etsi Evo S-a | 88.8% | 1,444 | 29,986 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda XL 700 VA-8 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda XL 700 VA-8 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 XL 700 VA-8Should you buy a used Honda XL 700 VA-8?
The Honda XL 700 VA-8 has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.5% across 3,915 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 700 VA-8 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (34 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (30), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (23). 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 700 VA-8 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 700 VA-8 owner drives around 1,168 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 700 VA-8 models stay on UK roads for around 19 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.