KAWASAKI VN

903cc Petrol Class 2

#2016 of 5426 overall #231 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1223 of 2787 other bikes

86.6%

first-time pass rate

6.3%

failed outright

9,682

median miles at test

5,014

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The VN's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.8 points since 2006, 93.3% to 86.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage VN passes first time 90.1% of the time; by 50k that's 84.8%.

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 VN

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	143	26.6	1.3×
brakes	106	19.7	0.3×
tyres	98	18.2	2.5×
lighting and signalling	49	9.1	0.2×
tyres and wheels	31	5.8	0.3×
suspension	26	4.8	0.6×
structure and attachments	24	4.5	0.6×
steering	22	4.1	0.9×
reg plates and vin	20	3.7	0.6×
steering and suspension	18	3.4	0.1×

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 VN beats 2 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 VN.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (94.1% pass). Weakest: 2018 (75.7%).

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.

KAWASAKI VN FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI VN reliable?

The KAWASAKI VN is about average for its class: 86.6% of its 5,014 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2016 of 5426 models.

What does a VN fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 27% of all defects recorded against failed VN tests.

What is the best year of VN to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (94.1%) and 2018 worst (75.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VN last?

The median VN shows 9,682 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 84.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.