KAWASAKI VN 900 CBF CUSTOM

903cc Petrol Class 2

#2467 of 5426 overall #281 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1543 of 2787 other bikes

85.1%

first-time pass rate

7.5%

failed outright

10,342

median miles at test

550

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2015–2025

The VN 900 CBF CUSTOM's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2015 (90.7% → 91.2%).

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage VN 900 CBF CUSTOM passes first time 90.1% of the time; by 20k that's 75.0%.

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 CBF CUSTOM

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	35	41.7	2.0×
brakes	15	17.9	0.4×
tyres and wheels	8	9.5	0.7×
lighting and signalling	6	7.1	0.3×
suspension	5	6	1.0×
tyres	5	6	1.3×
Identification of the vehicle	4	4.8	3.1×
structure and attachments	3	3.6	0.8×
steering and suspension	2	2.4	0.1×
steering	1	1.2	0.4×

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 900 CBF CUSTOM beats 1 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 CBF CUSTOM.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (88.0% pass). Weakest: 2011 (84.1%).

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 900 CBF CUSTOM FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI VN 900 CBF CUSTOM reliable?

The KAWASAKI VN 900 CBF CUSTOM is about average for its class: 85.1% of its 550 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2467 of 5426 models.

What does a VN 900 CBF CUSTOM fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 42% of all defects recorded against failed VN 900 CBF CUSTOM tests.

What is the best year of VN 900 CBF CUSTOM to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (88.0%) and 2013 worst (84.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VN 900 CBF CUSTOM last?

The median VN 900 CBF CUSTOM shows 10,342 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 75.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.