KAWASAKI VN 800 B6F CLASSIC

805cc Petrol Class 2

#1639 of 5426 overall #197 of 592 KAWASAKIs #998 of 2787 other bikes

87.9%

first-time pass rate

4.4%

failed outright

9,627

median miles at test

406

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2010–2013

The VN 800 B6F CLASSIC's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2010 (90.9% → 90.0%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN 800 B6F CLASSIC's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN 800 B6F CLASSIC passes first time 87.8% of the time; by 20k that's 91.9%.

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 VN 800 B6F CLASSIC

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	12	40
tyres and wheels	6	20
brakes	5	16.7
lamps and reflectors	2	6.7
tyres	2	6.7
body and structure	1	3.3
steering and suspension	1	3.3
Identification of the vehicle	1	3.3

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 800 B6F CLASSIC beats 4 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 TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 800 B6F CLASSIC.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (88.9% pass). Weakest: 2005 (84.5%).

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.