BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ MV AGUSTA/F3
Model report · 2005–2025

MV AGUSTA F3

798cc Petrol Class 2
#1985 of 5428 overall #15 of 17 MV AGUSTAs #1205 of 2788 other bikes
86.7%
first-time pass rate
7.7%
failed outright
4,558
median miles at test
1,324
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-2.3pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2017–2025

The F3's first-time pass rate has risen 8.7 points since 2017, 79.6% to 88.3%.

77%86%95%2017: 79.6% pass (49 tests)2018: 85.1% pass (74 tests)2019: 91.9% pass (135 tests)2020: 89.5% pass (172 tests)2021: 86.4% pass (214 tests)2022: 80.8% pass (198 tests)2023: 89.4% pass (179 tests)2024: 84.9% pass (152 tests)2025: 88.3% pass (137 tests)20172025

What fails on a F3

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors
80 35.7 2.5×
brakes
76 33.9 0.8×
structure and attachments
16 7.1 1.3×
audible warning (Horn)
15 6.7 6.2×
Identification of the vehicle
11 4.9 3.3×
tyres
9 4 1.0×
lighting and signalling
6 2.7 0.1×
steering
5 2.2 0.7×
suspension
4 1.8 0.4×
steering and suspension
2 0.9 0.1×

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 F3 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests Compare head-to-head →
YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests Compare head-to-head →
TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests Compare head-to-head →

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 F3.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the F3

More MV AGUSTA models

other MV AGUSTA bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
MV AGUSTA F4 86.7% pass · 8,072 tests
MV AGUSTA BRUTALE 86.8% pass · 3,624 tests
MV AGUSTA 750F4 S 88.4% pass · 1,526 tests
MV AGUSTA F4 1000 87.8% pass · 1,262 tests
MV AGUSTA BRUTALE S 89.2% pass · 1,076 tests
MV AGUSTA BRUTALE 910 88.7% pass · 873 tests

See all MV AGUSTA models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (89.9% pass). Weakest: 2014 (82.1%).

81%86%91%2012: 89.9% pass (69 tests)2013: 89.2% pass (74 tests)2014: 82.1% pass (207 tests)2015: 86.8% pass (356 tests)2016: 87.1% pass (380 tests)2017: 88.2% pass (211 tests)201220152017

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.

MV AGUSTA F3 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the MV AGUSTA F3 reliable?

The MV AGUSTA F3 is about average for its class: 86.7% of its 1,324 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1985 of 5428 models.

What does a F3 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 36% of all defects recorded against failed F3 tests.

What is the best year of F3 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (89.9%) and 2014 worst (82.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

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