KAWASAKI VN800

805cc Petrol Class 2

#2720 of 5426 overall #319 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1716 of 2787 other bikes

84.1%

first-time pass rate

8.4%

failed outright

15,394

median miles at test

23.6k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The VN800's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.2 points since 2005, 85.0% to 83.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN800's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN800 passes first time 89.2% of the time; by 50k that's 78.7%.

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 VN800

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	870	23	0.7×
lighting and signalling	865	22.8	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	513	13.5	0.8×
tyres and wheels	398	10.5	0.8×
steering and suspension	308	8.1	0.3×
reg plates and vin	219	5.8	1.2×
drive system	183	4.8	0.8×
structure and attachments	173	4.6	0.9×
fuel and exhaust	150	4	0.8×
tyres	111	2.9	0.6×

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 VN800 beats 3 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 VN800.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (90.4% pass). Weakest: 1995 (81.2%).

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 VN800 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI VN800 reliable?

The KAWASAKI VN800 is about average for its class: 84.1% of its 23,590 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2720 of 5426 models.

What does a VN800 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 23% of all defects recorded against failed VN800 tests.

What is the best year of VN800 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (90.4%) and 1995 worst (81.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VN800 last?

The median VN800 shows 15,394 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 78.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.