HONDA VT600C

583cc Petrol Class 2

#3334 of 5426 overall #572 of 921 HONDAs #2126 of 2787 other bikes

81.2%

first-time pass rate

10.8%

failed outright

13,497

median miles at test

1,200

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2023

The VT600C's first-time pass rate has risen 5.1 points since 2006, 80.9% to 86.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VT600C's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VT600C passes first time 85.3% of the time; by 40k that's 72.9%.

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 VT600C

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	63	23.5	0.9×
brakes	56	20.9	0.8×
steering and suspension	39	14.6	0.9×
lamps and reflectors	38	14.2	1.0×
tyres and wheels	24	9	1.0×
suspension	12	4.5	0.9×
structure and attachments	11	4.1	1.0×
reg plates and vin	9	3.4	1.2×
fuel and exhaust	9	3.4	1.0×
Identification of the vehicle	7	2.6	2.5×

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 VT600C beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 VT600C.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1998 (84.4% pass). Weakest: 1993 (72.0%).

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.

HONDA VT600C FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA VT600C reliable?

The HONDA VT600C is less reliable than average for its class: 81.2% of its 1,200 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3334 of 5426 models.

What does a VT600C fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 24% of all defects recorded against failed VT600C tests.

What is the best year of VT600C to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1998-registered examples do best (84.4%) and 1993 worst (72.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VT600C last?

The median VT600C shows 13,497 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 72.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.