BMW F Series vs Honda VFR800 Fi

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW F Series: 86.7% vs 84.4%, a 2.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	BMW F Series	Honda VFR800 Fi
First-time pass rate	84.4%	86.7%
Outright fail rate	9.9%	8.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.1 pts	+4.5 pts
Engine size	652cc	781cc
Rank among all models	#2639 of 5428	#1985 of 5428
Median miles at test	24,900	26,212
MOT tests analysed	12,700	89,421
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	brakes

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	BMW F Series	Honda VFR800 Fi
Brakes	3.2%	3.2%
Lights & signalling	4.0%	2.4%
Steering & suspension	3.7%	2.6%
Tyres & wheels	1.4%	2.3%
Structure & body	1.6%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.0%	0.5%
Drive system	0.0%	0.4%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	BMW F Series	Honda VFR800 Fi
2018	84.3%	86.1%
2019	83.9%	86.6%
2020	84.4%	87.0%
2021	84.2%	87.3%
2022	85.1%	87.1%
2023	85.0%	88.9%
2024	83.6%	88.9%
2025	84.6%	88.2%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	BMW F Series	Honda VFR800 Fi
0k-10k miles	90.3%	92.5%
10k-20k miles	87.9%	89.4%
20k-30k miles	83.2%	87.3%
30k-40k miles	82.6%	85.5%
40k-50k miles	79.7%	83.5%
50k-60k miles	81.0%	81.4%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

BMW F Series vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW F Series or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW F Series: 86.7% vs 84.4%, a 2.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda VFR800 Fi still comes out ahead: +2.1 points vs comparable bikes for the BMW F Series, +4.5 for the Honda VFR800 Fi. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW F Series fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.0% of BMW F Series MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.7%).

What does the Honda VFR800 Fi fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 3.2% of Honda VFR800 Fi MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.6%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the BMW F Series or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

They are level: at 50k-60k miles the BMW F Series passes 81.0% first time and the Honda VFR800 Fi 81.4%.

BMW F SERIES 84.4% pass · 12.7k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.