BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ KAWASAKI/VN 1700 C9F CLASSIC TOURER
Model report · 2005–2025

KAWASAKI VN 1700 C9F CLASSIC TOURER

1700cc Petrol Class 2
89.3%
first-time pass rate
6.7%
failed outright
14,403
median miles at test
345
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2014–2017

The VN 1700 C9F CLASSIC TOURER's first-time pass rate has risen 3.0 points since 2014, 88.2% to 91.2%.

87%90%92%2014: 88.2% pass (34 tests)2015: 90.6% pass (32 tests)2016: 91.2% pass (34 tests)2017: 91.2% pass (34 tests)20142017

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN 1700 C9F CLASSIC TOURER's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN 1700 C9F CLASSIC TOURER passes first time 91.9% of the time; by 30k that's 77.4%.

75%85%95%0k: 91.9% pass (111 tests)10k: 90.6% pass (128 tests)20k: 88.1% pass (67 tests)30k: 77.4% pass (31 tests)0k20k30k

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 1700 C9F CLASSIC TOURER

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
tyres and wheels
10 30.3
lamps and reflectors
7 21.2
tyres
5 15.2
steering and suspension
3 9.1
reg plates and vin
2 6.1
lighting and signalling
2 6.1
steering
2 6.1
Identification of the vehicle
1 3
brakes
1 3

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the VN 1700 C9F CLASSIC TOURER beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA XJR1300, SUZUKI GSX1400, SUZUKI GSX1300R).

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 1700 C9F CLASSIC TOURER.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (93.1% pass). Weakest: 2010 (81.5%).

79%87%95%2009: 89.2% pass (93 tests)2010: 81.5% pass (65 tests)2011: 93.1% pass (160 tests)200920102011

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.