Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Ducati 888 vs Honda VFR800 Fi
The Ducati 888 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR800 Fi: 88.9% vs 86.7%, a 2.2-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Ducati 888 | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 88.9% | 86.7% |
| Outright fail rate | 6.4% | 8.5% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +5.1 pts | +4.5 pts |
| Engine size | 888cc | 781cc |
| Rank among all models | #1305 of 5428 | #1985 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 19,378 | 26,212 |
| MOT tests analysed | 1,994 | 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
| Component | Ducati 888 | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 3.6% | 2.4% |
| Brakes | 1.8% | 3.2% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.4% | 2.6% |
| Tyres & wheels | 0.7% | 2.3% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.4% | 0.5% |
| Drive system | 0.2% | 0.4% |
| Structure & body | 0.1% | 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
| Test year | Ducati 888 | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 94.4% | 86.1% |
| 2019 | 92.6% | 86.6% |
| 2020 | 93.3% | 87.0% |
| 2021 | 91.0% | 87.3% |
| 2022 | 90.4% | 87.1% |
| 2023 | 94.6% | 88.9% |
| 2024 | 92.9% | 88.9% |
| 2025 | 93.4% | 88.2% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Ducati 888 | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 88.6% | 92.5% |
| 10k-20k miles | 90.1% | 89.4% |
| 20k-30k miles | 88.8% | 87.3% |
| 30k-40k miles | 86.3% | 85.5% |
| 40k-50k miles | 87.4% | 83.5% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Ducati 888 vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Ducati 888 or the Honda VFR800 Fi?
The Ducati 888 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR800 Fi: 88.9% vs 86.7%, a 2.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+5.1 vs +4.5 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Ducati 888 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 3.6% of Ducati 888 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.8%).
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 Ducati 888 or the Honda VFR800 Fi?
At 40k-50k miles the Ducati 888 passes first time more often: 87.4% for the Ducati 888 vs 83.5% for the Honda VFR800 Fi.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.