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%
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.

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.