Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA NT 700 VA-B
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The NT 700 VA-B's first-time pass rate has risen 6.2 points since 2014, 85.7% to 91.9%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage NT 700 VA-B passes first time 92.4% of the time; by 50k that's 85.9%.
First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.
What fails on a NT 700 VA-B
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
75 | 38.1 | 0.7× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
29 | 14.7 | 0.7× |
| tyres |
|
25 | 12.7 | 1.7× |
| suspension |
|
20 | 10.2 | 1.2× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
16 | 8.1 | 0.1× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
14 | 7.1 | 0.3× |
| steering and suspension |
|
9 | 4.6 | 0.1× |
| steering |
|
5 | 2.5 | 0.6× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
2 | 1 | 0.6× |
| driving controls |
|
2 | 1 | 0.2× |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the NT 700 VA-B beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the NT 700 VA-B.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2011 (89.9%). Lowest: 2012 (87.7%). Every NT 700 Va-B year compared →
First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.
HONDA NT 700 VA-B FAQ
Is the HONDA NT 700 VA-B reliable?
The HONDA NT 700 VA-B is more reliable than average for its class: 89.1% of its 1,922 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1243 of 5428 models.
What does a NT 700 VA-B fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 38% of all defects recorded against failed NT 700 VA-B tests.
What is the best year of NT 700 VA-B to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (89.9%) and 2012 worst (87.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a NT 700 VA-B last?
The median NT 700 VA-B shows 18,358 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 85.9% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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