KAWASAKI VN 900 BBFA CLASSIC

903cc Petrol Class 2

#1269 of 5426 overall #157 of 592 KAWASAKIs #775 of 2787 other bikes

89.0%

first-time pass rate

6.7%

failed outright

8,140

median miles at test

446

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2014–2023

The VN 900 BBFA CLASSIC's first-time pass rate has fallen 15.7 points since 2014, 94.1% to 78.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage VN 900 BBFA CLASSIC passes first time 93.5% of the time; by 20k that's 85.2%.

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 BBFA CLASSIC

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lamps and reflectors	11	25
brakes	10	22.7
Identification of the vehicle	5	11.4
structure and attachments	5	11.4
tyres	4	9.1
lighting and signalling	4	9.1
steering	3	6.8
tyres and wheels	2	4.5

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 BBFA 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 BBFA CLASSIC.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (91.2% pass). Weakest: 2012 (82.5%).

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.