Pass rate over time
The VT700's first-time pass rate has fallen 13.9 points since 2006, 83.9% to 70.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage VT700 passes first time 76.6% of the time; by 40k that's 81.8%.
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 VT700
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
43 | 30.5 |
| brakes |
|
29 | 20.6 |
| steering and suspension |
|
20 | 14.2 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
15 | 10.6 |
| reg plates and vin |
|
11 | 7.8 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
8 | 5.7 |
| drive system |
|
7 | 5 |
| driving controls |
|
4 | 2.8 |
| suspension |
|
2 | 1.4 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
2 | 1.4 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the VT700 beats 2 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 VT700.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1984 (84.9% pass). Weakest: 1986 (76.2%).
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.