The MOT Files

Motorcycle reliability file

Honda VFR MOT pass rate & common failures

From 5,591 recorded MOT tests of the Honda VFR, published by DVSA.

Data updated

Quick answer

The Honda VFR passes 92.3% of MOT tests once adjusted for age and mileage, ranking 3 of 36 motorcycle models, against 86.5% for all motorcycles. The most recorded failure is "A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely", in 19.5% of failed tests.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

92.3%adjusted · 90.9% raw · rank 3 of 365,591 tests

5.8 points above the fleet average of 86.5%.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed Honda VFR tests in which each item was recorded. One failed test often lists several, so these do not sum to 100%.

  1. 1.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely19.5%

    69 occurrences

  2. 2.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm15.9%

    56 occurrences

  3. 3.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements15.0%

    53 occurrences

  4. 4.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake8.8%

    31 occurrences

  5. 5.A headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED5.9%

    21 occurrences

  6. 6.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution5.9%

    21 occurrences

  7. 7.A wheel bearing with excessive play5.4%

    19 occurrences

  8. 8.A wheel bearing excessively rough4.8%

    17 occurrences

  9. 9.Rear registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps4.0%

    14 occurrences

  10. 10.Brake efficiency below minimum requirement4.0%

    14 occurrences

  11. 11.Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play3.7%

    13 occurrences

  12. 12.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements3.1%

    11 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Honda VFR tests carrying each advisory.

  1. 1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements7.1%

    397 tests

  2. 2.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm5.9%

    332 tests

  3. 3.Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted3.0%

    169 tests

  4. 4.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution2.5%

    142 tests

  5. 5.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake2.4%

    135 tests

  6. 6.Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play2.3%

    130 tests

  7. 7.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely2.1%

    116 tests

  8. 8.Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured1.7%

    93 tests

How wear changes the picture

VFR pass rate by age and registration year

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202295%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201994%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201691%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201391%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier87%

What gets tested

The VFR fleet

Average mileage recorded at test
24,002
Test classes
class 2: 5,587 · class 1: 4
Names grouped into this model (43)
  • VFR 1200
  • VFR 1200 CROSSTOURER
  • VFR 1200 F-A
  • VFR 1200 F-C
  • VFR 1200 F-D
  • VFR 1200 FA
  • VFR 1200 FD
  • VFR 1200 FD-A
  • VFR 1200 FD-D
  • VFR 1200 FDA
  • VFR 1200 X
  • VFR 1200 X-C
  • VFR 1200 XD-C
  • VFR 1200 XD-D
  • VFR 1200 XE
  • VFR 400
  • VFR 400 NC 30
  • VFR 400 NC-30
  • VFR 400 NC30
  • VFR 400R
  • VFR 750
  • VFR 750 F
  • VFR 750 F-G
  • VFR 750 FS
  • VFR 750 FT
  • VFR 750 R
  • VFR 750F
  • VFR 750FV
  • VFR 800
  • VFR 800 A-3
  • VFR 800 A-4
  • VFR 800 A-5
  • VFR 800 A-6
  • VFR 800 A-8
  • VFR 800 A-9
  • VFR 800 ANIV
  • VFR 800 CROSSRUNNER
  • VFR 800 F-E
  • VFR 800 X
  • VFR 800 X-C
  • VFR 800 X-D
  • VFR NC30
  • VFR VTEC

Compare within the range

Other Honda motorcycles

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a Honda VFR?
92.3% once adjusted for the age and mileage of the motorcycles tested, ranking 3 of 36 motorcycle models, from 5,591 DVSA tests. The average across all motorcycles is 86.5%.
What does a Honda VFR fail its MOT on?
"A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely" is recorded in 19.5% of failed Honda VFR tests, followed by "Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm" (15.9%). One failed test often lists several items.
What mileage does a Honda VFR usually have at its MOT?
24,002 miles on average across every age tested, so a description of the fleet rather than an annual figure. Motorcycle mileages are low and vary enormously with use; a commuter bike and a weekend bike of the same age can differ by a factor of ten.

Analysis built from DVSA data of