Bsa Lightning vs Honda VFR800 Fi

The Bsa Lightning passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR800 Fi: 92.2% vs 86.7%, a 5.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Bsa Lightning	Honda VFR800 Fi
First-time pass rate	92.2%	86.7%
Outright fail rate	3.0%	8.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.9 pts	+4.5 pts
Engine size	650cc	781cc
Rank among all models	#434 of 5428	#1985 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,620	26,212
MOT tests analysed	794	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	Bsa Lightning	Honda VFR800 Fi
Lights & signalling	1.8%	2.4%
Brakes	0.8%	3.2%
Steering & suspension	1.3%	2.6%
Tyres & wheels	0.1%	2.3%
Drive system	0.3%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.5%
Structure & body	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	Bsa Lightning	Honda VFR800 Fi
2010	93.3%	85.7%
2011	93.7%	85.4%
2012	94.7%	85.5%
2013	88.7%	85.1%
2014	91.2%	85.0%
2015	93.0%	86.5%
2016	90.3%	86.9%
2017	95.0%	86.5%

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	Bsa Lightning	Honda VFR800 Fi
0k-10k miles	91.6%	92.5%
10k-20k miles	88.9%	89.4%
20k-30k miles	95.7%	87.3%
30k-40k miles	98.2%	85.5%

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

Bsa Lightning vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Bsa Lightning or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

The Bsa Lightning passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR800 Fi: 92.2% vs 86.7%, a 5.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Bsa Lightning still comes out ahead: +6.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Bsa Lightning, +4.5 for the Honda VFR800 Fi. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Bsa Lightning fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.8% of Bsa Lightning MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.3%).

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 Bsa Lightning or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

At 30k-40k miles the Bsa Lightning passes first time more often: 98.2% for the Bsa Lightning vs 85.5% for the Honda VFR800 Fi.

BSA LIGHTNING 92.2% pass · 794 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.