Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA VFR400 NC30
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 VFR400 NC30's first-time pass rate has risen 17.3 points since 2006, 70.2% to 87.5%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage VFR400 NC30 passes first time 81.5% of the time; by 50k that's 77.1%.
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 VFR400 NC30
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
81 | 31.9 | 2.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
54 | 21.3 | 2.1× |
| brakes |
|
49 | 19.3 | 1.5× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
24 | 9.4 | 1.8× |
| body and structure |
|
14 | 5.5 | 3.3× |
| drive system |
|
11 | 4.3 | 2.5× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
10 | 3.9 | 2.1× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
5 | 2 | 1.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
3 | 1.2 | 0.3× |
| driving controls |
|
3 | 1.2 | 2.3× |
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 VFR400 NC30 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).
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 VFR400 NC30.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1992 (87.5%). Lowest: 1990 (63.9%). Every VFR400 NC30 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 VFR400 NC30 FAQ
Is the HONDA VFR400 NC30 reliable?
The HONDA VFR400 NC30 is less reliable than average for its class: 75.5% of its 563 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4245 of 5428 models.
What does a VFR400 NC30 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 32% of all defects recorded against failed VFR400 NC30 tests.
What is the best year of VFR400 NC30 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1992-registered examples do best (87.5%) and 1990 worst (63.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a VFR400 NC30 last?
The median VFR400 NC30 shows 31,093 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 77.1% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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