KAWASAKI VN800-C1

805cc Petrol Class 2

#1575 of 5426 overall #191 of 592 KAWASAKIs #959 of 2787 other bikes

88.1%

first-time pass rate

5.1%

failed outright

14,213

median miles at test

236

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN800-C1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN800-C1 passes first time 86.3% of the time; by 20k that's 93.6%.

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-C1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	14	51.9
brakes	6	22.2
fuel and exhaust	2	7.4
steering and suspension	1	3.7
Identification of the vehicle	1	3.7
tyres and wheels	1	3.7
lamps and reflectors	1	3.7
reg plates and vin	1	3.7

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 VN800-C1 beats 4 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-C1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2001 (90.9% pass). Weakest: 2003 (85.7%).

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.