BMW R65 vs Honda VFR800 Fi

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R65: 86.7% vs 85.2%, a 1.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	BMW R65	Honda VFR800 Fi
First-time pass rate	85.2%	86.7%
Outright fail rate	8.2%	8.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.4 pts	+4.5 pts
Engine size	650cc	781cc
Rank among all models	#2445 of 5428	#1985 of 5428
Median miles at test	38,833	26,212
MOT tests analysed	8,221	89,421
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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 R65	Honda VFR800 Fi
Lights & signalling	4.0%	2.4%
Brakes	2.6%	3.2%
Steering & suspension	2.4%	2.6%
Tyres & wheels	1.5%	2.3%
Fuel & exhaust	0.8%	0.5%
Structure & body	0.5%	0.4%
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 R65	Honda VFR800 Fi
2018	87.2%	86.1%
2019	87.0%	86.6%
2020	87.9%	87.0%
2021	86.6%	87.3%
2022	86.4%	87.1%
2023	87.1%	88.9%
2024	91.1%	88.9%
2025	89.2%	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 R65	Honda VFR800 Fi
0k-10k miles	84.5%	92.5%
10k-20k miles	88.9%	89.4%
20k-30k miles	86.1%	87.3%
30k-40k miles	87.3%	85.5%
40k-50k miles	87.3%	83.5%
50k-60k miles	83.9%	81.4%

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

BMW R65 vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW R65 or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R65: 86.7% vs 85.2%, a 1.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda VFR800 Fi still comes out ahead: +2.4 points vs comparable bikes for the BMW R65, +4.5 for the Honda VFR800 Fi. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW R65 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.0% of BMW R65 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.6%).

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 R65 or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW R65 passes first time more often: 83.9% for the BMW R65 vs 81.4% for the Honda VFR800 Fi.

BMW R65 85.2% pass · 8,221 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.