Honda VFR800 MOT pass rate & common failures

At a glance

Recorded pass rate

2.6 points below the fleet average of 86.5%. The examples tested do not cover a wide enough spread of ages and mileages to compare fairly against the rest of the fleet, so no rank is claimed; the failure record below stands on its own.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed Honda VFR800 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 severely27.9%

   65 occurrences

2. 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements18.5%

   43 occurrences

3. 3.Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning11.2%

   26 occurrences

4. 4.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm9.4%

   22 occurrences

5. 5.A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps9.0%

   21 occurrences

6. 6.A tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned likely which could cause sudden deflation of the tyre6.9%

   16 occurrences

7. 7.Brake efficiency below minimum requirement6.4%

   15 occurrences

8. 8.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake6.4%

   15 occurrences

9. 9.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements4.3%

   10 occurrences

10. 10.Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play3.9%

    9 occurrences

11. 11.A headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED3.9%

    9 occurrences

12. 12.A stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released3.4%

    8 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Honda VFR800 tests carrying each advisory.

1. 1.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm7.5%

   157 tests

2. 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements6.5%

   136 tests

3. 3.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely5.3%

   112 tests

4. 4.Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted4.4%

   93 tests

5. 5.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake3.6%

   76 tests

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

   55 tests

7. 7.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn2.6%

   54 tests

8. 8.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution2.3%

   49 tests

What gets tested

The VFR800 fleet

Average mileage recorded at test

33,766

Test classes

class 2: 2,099 · class 1: 1

Compare within the range

Other Honda motorcycles

• Honda CBR85.7%
• Honda CB89.8%
• Honda WW85.1%
• Honda CBF82.5%
• Honda CRF91.3%
• Honda NC92.5%
• All Honda motorcycles

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a Honda VFR800?

83.9% unadjusted, from 2,100 DVSA tests. The average across all motorcycles is 86.5%.

What does a Honda VFR800 fail its MOT on?

"A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely" is recorded in 27.9% of failed Honda VFR800 tests, followed by "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" (18.5%). One failed test often lists several items.

What mileage does a Honda VFR800 usually have at its MOT?

33,766 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.