HONDA RVF400

399cc Petrol Class 2

#3356 of 5426 overall #581 of 921 HONDAs #2142 of 2787 other bikes

81.1%

first-time pass rate

11.7%

failed outright

26,515

median miles at test

3,393

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The RVF400's first-time pass rate has risen 19.5 points since 2005, 72.5% to 92.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the RVF400's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage RVF400 passes first time 86.0% of the time; by 50k that's 79.6%.

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 RVF400

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	309	32.5	1.5×
steering and suspension	192	20.2	1.4×
brakes	151	15.9	0.8×
tyres and wheels	107	11.3	1.3×
reg plates and vin	45	4.7	1.7×
fuel and exhaust	45	4.7	1.6×
drive system	34	3.6	1.2×
body and structure	32	3.4	1.5×
lamps and reflectors	23	2.4	0.3×
driving controls	12	1.3	1.5×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the RVF400 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k tests

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 RVF400.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1999 (87.9% pass). Weakest: 1994 (78.1%).

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 RVF400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA RVF400 reliable?

The HONDA RVF400 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.1% of its 3,393 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3356 of 5426 models.

What does a RVF400 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 33% of all defects recorded against failed RVF400 tests.

What is the best year of RVF400 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1999-registered examples do best (87.9%) and 1994 worst (78.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a RVF400 last?

The median RVF400 shows 26,515 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 79.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.