Honda Xr Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda Xr car check
Is the Honda Xr reliable? We analysed 4,199 real MOT tests across 544 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda Xr? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda Xr is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, wheel bearings have excessive free play and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Xr.
Honda Xr Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda Xr. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda Xr MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda Xr to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda Xr Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda Xr fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda Xr Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda Xr owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda Xr MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda Xr year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 116 | 79.3% | 3,274 | 8,695 | 14,422 |
| 2007 | 116 | 81.0% | 5,224 | 8,260 | 17,096 |
| 2006 | 161 | 77.0% | 6,107 | 11,671 | 16,953 |
| 2005 | 282 | 80.5% | 5,482 | 8,693 | 17,414 |
| 2004 | 290 | 80.7% | 3,913 | 7,322 | 17,229 |
| 2003 | 349 | 87.7% | 4,626 | 8,682 | 14,484 |
| 2002 | 391 | 92.1% | 3,585 | 7,522 | 11,978 |
| 2001 | 406 | 80.5% | 7,174 | 10,198 | 17,120 |
| 2000 | 296 | 79.7% | 5,799 | 8,343 | 16,754 |
| 1999 | 251 | 80.1% | 9,196 | 12,795 | 15,818 |
| 1998 | 437 | 82.6% | 7,393 | 10,866 | 17,538 |
| 1997 | 284 | 82.4% | 4,543 | 7,703 | 12,273 |
| 1996 | 169 | 84.0% | 4,682 | 15,859 | 21,257 |
| 1995 | 93 | 89.2% | 7,063 | 12,052 | 14,485 |
| 1983 | 56 | 83.9% | 33 | 79 | 90 |
How Long Does a Honda Xr Last?
Based on 544 Honda Xr vehicles on UK roads.
Honda Xr Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda Xr 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 Xr
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.1% MOT pass rate from 391 tests
77.0% MOT pass rate from 161 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda Xr is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.1% across 391 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda Xr Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Xr THIS CAR | 83.3% | 4,199 | 9,355 mi | 43 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 |
| Piaggio B500 | 82.7% | 1,476 | 18,350 mi | 23 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda Xr outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda Xr 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 XrShould you buy a used Honda Xr?
The Honda Xr has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.3% across 4,199 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 Xr are reflector on motorcycle missing (47 recorded failures), wheel bearings have excessive free play (40), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (36). 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 Xr owner drives around 413 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 Xr models stay on UK roads for around 43 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.