Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA VFR 800 A-9
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 VFR 800 A-9's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.3 points since 2012, 89.3% to 87.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage VFR 800 A-9 passes first time 91.2% of the time; by 50k that's 78.3%.
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 VFR 800 A-9
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
92 | 25.1 | 1.6× |
| brakes |
|
89 | 24.3 | 0.5× |
| tyres |
|
44 | 12 | 1.9× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
35 | 9.6 | 0.6× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
31 | 8.5 | 0.2× |
| suspension |
|
25 | 6.8 | 1.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
18 | 4.9 | 0.2× |
| structure and attachments |
|
14 | 3.8 | 0.7× |
| drive system |
|
9 | 2.5 | 0.3× |
| steering |
|
9 | 2.5 | 0.7× |
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 VFR 800 A-9 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 VFR 800 A-9.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2009 (87.3%). Lowest: 2011 (83.6%). Every VFR 800 A-9 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 VFR 800 A-9 FAQ
Is the HONDA VFR 800 A-9 reliable?
The HONDA VFR 800 A-9 is about average for its class: 85.7% of its 2,919 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2308 of 5428 models.
What does a VFR 800 A-9 fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors: 25% of all defects recorded against failed VFR 800 A-9 tests.
What is the best year of VFR 800 A-9 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (87.3%) and 2011 worst (83.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a VFR 800 A-9 last?
The median VFR 800 A-9 shows 14,374 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 78.3% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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