Ducati M696 + vs Honda VFR800 Fi

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the Ducati M696 +: 86.7% vs 86.3%, a 0.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Ducati M696 +	Honda VFR800 Fi
First-time pass rate	86.3%	86.7%
Outright fail rate	7.8%	8.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.9 pts	+4.5 pts
Engine size	696cc	781cc
Rank among all models	#2120 of 5428	#1985 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,262	26,212
MOT tests analysed	6,768	89,421
Most common failure	brakes	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	Ducati M696 +	Honda VFR800 Fi
Brakes	2.6%	3.2%
Steering & suspension	3.1%	2.6%
Lights & signalling	3.0%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	1.4%	2.3%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.4%
Drive system	0.5%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.3%	0.5%

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	Ducati M696 +	Honda VFR800 Fi
2018	86.4%	86.1%
2019	84.9%	86.6%
2020	87.1%	87.0%
2021	90.0%	87.3%
2022	89.0%	87.1%
2023	82.6%	88.9%
2024	83.1%	88.9%
2025	82.6%	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	Ducati M696 +	Honda VFR800 Fi
0k-10k miles	89.3%	92.5%
10k-20k miles	83.8%	89.4%
20k-30k miles	79.1%	87.3%
30k-40k miles	75.2%	85.5%
40k-50k miles	67.6%	83.5%

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

Ducati M696 + vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ducati M696 + or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the Ducati M696 +: 86.7% vs 86.3%, a 0.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda VFR800 Fi still comes out ahead: -0.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Ducati M696 +, +4.5 for the Honda VFR800 Fi. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ducati M696 + fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 3.1% of Ducati M696 + MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.0%).

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 M696 + or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

At 40k-50k miles the Honda VFR800 Fi passes first time more often: 67.6% for the Ducati M696 + vs 83.5% for the Honda VFR800 Fi.

DUCATI M696 + 86.3% pass · 6,768 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.