KAWASAKI VN400

400cc Petrol Class 2

85.9%

first-time pass rate

11.1%

failed outright

20,239

median miles at test

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a VN400

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	5	16.7
brakes	5	16.7
lamps and reflectors	4	13.3
structure and attachments	4	13.3
steering and suspension	3	10
tyres and wheels	2	6.7
fuel and exhaust	2	6.7
suspension	2	6.7
Identification of the vehicle	2	6.7
drive system	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 VN400 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k 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 VN400.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1995 (84.0% pass). Weakest: 1995 (84.0%).

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.