KAWASAKI VN900 CLASSIC

903cc Petrol Class 2

#1784 of 5426 overall #212 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1084 of 2787 other bikes

87.4%

first-time pass rate

6.7%

failed outright

9,389

median miles at test

253

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN900 CLASSIC's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN900 CLASSIC passes first time 91.9% 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 VN900 CLASSIC

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
tyres	6	22.2
lamps and reflectors	4	14.8
brakes	4	14.8
tyres and wheels	3	11.1
steering	3	11.1
Identification of the vehicle	2	7.4
lighting and signalling	2	7.4
suspension	1	3.7
structure and attachments	1	3.7
steering and suspension	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 VN900 CLASSIC beats 2 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 VN900 CLASSIC.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (91.5% pass). Weakest: 2010 (91.5%).

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.