HONDA VFR1200

1200cc Petrol Class 2

#1024 of 5426 overall #119 of 921 HONDAs #627 of 2787 other bikes

89.8%

first-time pass rate

6.5%

failed outright

16,975

median miles at test

2,035

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2013–2025

The VFR1200's first-time pass rate has fallen 9.6 points since 2013, 95.2% to 85.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VFR1200's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

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

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the VFR1200 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 VFR1200.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (90.1% pass). Weakest: 2011 (89.9%).

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

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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 #1024 of 5426 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 — mileage alone rarely kills one.