Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA VFR1200
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 VFR1200's first-time pass rate has fallen 9.6 points since 2013, 95.2% to 85.6%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage VFR1200 passes first time 95.2% of the time; by 40k that's 82.3%.
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 VFR1200
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
81 | 38.4 | 0.7× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
24 | 11.4 | 0.7× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
22 | 10.4 | 0.4× |
| tyres |
|
20 | 9.5 | 1.4× |
| suspension |
|
19 | 9 | 1.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
14 | 6.6 | 0.2× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
10 | 4.7 | 0.6× |
| steering |
|
9 | 4.3 | 1.1× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
7 | 3.3 | 0.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
5 | 2.4 | 0.4× |
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 VFR1200 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).
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 VFR1200.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2010 (90.1%). Lowest: 2011 (89.9%). Every VFR1200 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 VFR1200 FAQ
Is the HONDA VFR1200 reliable?
The HONDA VFR1200 is more reliable than average for its class: 89.8% of its 2,035 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1025 of 5428 models.
What does a VFR1200 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 38% of all defects recorded against failed VFR1200 tests.
What is the best year of VFR1200 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (90.1%) and 2012 worst (89.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a VFR1200 last?
The median VFR1200 shows 16,975 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 82.3% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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