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E385 ELX

1987 Honda VT500

Red Petrol 499cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires13 Jun 2025
Tests21 (14 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

78,230 mi
Last recorded78,230 miles
Recorded on4 Jun 2024
Typical for 1987 Honda VT50039,482 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Honda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationE385 ELX
MakeHonda
ModelVT500
Year1987
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine499cc
View full Honda VT500 reliability data

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50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

14 pass 7 fail
Pass 4 Jun 2024 78,230 miles
Fail 4 Jun 2024 78,230 miles

Front Brake master cylinder insecure (1.1.10 (c))

Pass 13 Jun 2023 78,206 miles
Fail 13 Jun 2023 78,206 miles

Front Brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Pass 14 Jun 2022 77,969 miles
Pass 7 Jun 2021 77,941 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 7 Jun 2021 77,941 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Front Brake hose leaking (1.1.12 (c))

Pass 9 Jun 2019 77,264 miles
Pass 26 Oct 2016 77,533 miles

Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

Pass 13 Jul 2015 77,264 miles
Pass 15 Jul 2014 76,811 miles
Pass 9 Jul 2013 67,353 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2012 66,111 miles

Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

Pass 23 May 2011 650,102 miles
Fail 17 May 2011 65,000 miles

Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (2.3.3)

Offside Front Brake lever is so short and the brake cannot be readily applied (3.1.3c)

Offside Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (1.3.1a)

Offside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (2.3.3)

Offside Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (1.3.1a)

Rear reflector on motorcycle missing (1.4.1)

Pass 1 Jun 2010 64,354 miles
Fail 25 May 2010 64,354 miles

Nearside Rear Motorcycle structure excessively corroded (6.1.1a)

Rear Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake (3.3.A1a)

Pass 15 May 2009 62,719 miles
Fail 21 May 2008 61,200 miles

Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on (1.1.3a)

Headlamp aim too high (1.6)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (3.2.A1f(i))

Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

Nearside Rear shock absorber has a light misting (2.4.A.1c)

Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

Offside Rear shock absorber has a light misting (2.4.A.1c)

Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised (2.2.1b)

Pass 21 May 2008 61,200 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (3.2.A1f(i))

Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

Nearside Rear shock absorber has a light misting (2.4.A.1c)

Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

Offside Rear shock absorber has a light misting (2.4.A.1c)

Fail 14 Apr 2008 61,199 miles

Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on (1.1.3a)

Headlamp aim too high (1.6)

Offside Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (7.1.1b)

Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised (2.2.1b)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (3.2.A1f(i))

Nearside Front Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

Nearside Rear Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

Offside Rear Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)

How Reliable is the Honda VT500?

Based on 5,525 MOT tests across 821 vehicles.

81.3%
Pass Rate
431
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
821
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 133
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 65
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 43
Headlamp aim too high 39
Motorcycle structure excessively corroded 37
Full Honda VT500 reliability report

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E385 ELX is a 1987 Honda VT500 in Red with a 499cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1987 Honda VT500 models, the average MOT pass rate is 82.4% with a typical mileage of 39,482 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Honda VT500 fails its MOT is shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, accounting for 133 recorded failures. If you're considering buying E385 ELX, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Honda VT500 typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 39 years old, this Honda VT500 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of E385 ELX?

You can check the full history of E385 ELX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E385 ELX registered?

E385 ELX is a 1987 Honda VT500, first registered on 13 August 1987.

Is E385 ELX safe to buy?

The MOT history for E385 ELX shows 21 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does E385 ELX have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on E385 ELX. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.