KAWASAKI VN800 DRIFTER

805cc Petrol Class 2

77.5%

first-time pass rate

11.3%

failed outright

15,248

median miles at test

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a VN800 DRIFTER

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	12	36.4
lighting and signalling	6	18.2
body and structure	3	9.1
steering and suspension	3	9.1
tyres and wheels	3	9.1
fuel and exhaust	2	6.1
lamps and reflectors	1	3
driving controls	1	3
Items Not Tested	1	3
reg plates and vin	1	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 VN800 DRIFTER beats 1 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 DRIFTER.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2001 (78.3% pass). Weakest: 2001 (78.3%).

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.