Model report · 2005–2025
HONDA RVF400 NC35
399cc
Petrol
Class 2
76.9%
first-time pass rate
15.4%
failed outright
24,008
median miles at test
143
MOT tests, 2005–2025
What fails on a RVF400 NC35
failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
24 | 43.6 |
| steering and suspension |
|
12 | 21.8 |
| brakes |
|
4 | 7.3 |
| drive system |
|
4 | 7.3 |
| reg plates and vin |
|
3 | 5.5 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
2 | 3.6 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
2 | 3.6 |
| body and structure |
|
2 | 3.6 |
| driving controls |
|
1 | 1.8 |
| suspension |
|
1 | 1.8 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
same type, similar capacity, high test volume
On first-time pass rate the RVF400 NC35 beats 1 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 NC35.
Pass rate by registration year
how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date
Best year to buy used: 1994 (70.0% pass). Weakest: 1994 (70.0%).
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.