KAWASAKI VN 900 BBF CLASSIC

903cc Petrol Class 2

#959 of 5426 overall #115 of 592 KAWASAKIs #589 of 2787 other bikes

90.0%

first-time pass rate

5.3%

failed outright

9,693

median miles at test

379

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2025

The VN 900 BBF CLASSIC's first-time pass rate has fallen 9.0 points since 2016, 95.7% to 86.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN 900 BBF CLASSIC's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN 900 BBF CLASSIC passes first time 93.3% of the time; by 20k that's 85.4%.

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 900 BBF CLASSIC

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lamps and reflectors	13	35.1
tyres and wheels	6	16.2
Identification of the vehicle	5	13.5
tyres	4	10.8
brakes	4	10.8
structure and attachments	2	5.4
fuel and exhaust	1	2.7
lighting and signalling	1	2.7
steering	1	2.7

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 900 BBF CLASSIC beats 3 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 900 BBF CLASSIC.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (97.2% pass). Weakest: 2013 (86.4%).

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.