Husqvarna 701 vs Honda VFR800 Fi

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the Husqvarna 701: 86.7% vs 84.9%, a 1.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Husqvarna 701	Honda VFR800 Fi
First-time pass rate	84.9%	86.7%
Outright fail rate	7.6%	8.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-3.6 pts	+4.5 pts
Engine size	690cc	781cc
Rank among all models	#2516 of 5428	#1985 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,201	26,212
MOT tests analysed	582	89,421
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	Husqvarna 701	Honda VFR800 Fi
Lights & signalling	4.8%	2.4%
Steering & suspension	1.7%	2.6%
Brakes	0.9%	3.2%
Tyres & wheels	0.9%	2.3%
Structure & body	0.5%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.5%
Drive system	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	Husqvarna 701	Honda VFR800 Fi
2019	84.3%	86.6%
2020	81.6%	87.0%
2021	85.6%	87.3%
2022	83.1%	87.1%
2023	88.9%	88.9%
2024	85.9%	88.9%
2025	83.6%	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	Husqvarna 701	Honda VFR800 Fi
0k-10k miles	85.5%	92.5%
10k-20k miles	83.0%	89.4%

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

Husqvarna 701 vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Husqvarna 701 or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the Husqvarna 701: 86.7% vs 84.9%, a 1.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda VFR800 Fi still comes out ahead: -3.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Husqvarna 701, +4.5 for the Honda VFR800 Fi. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Husqvarna 701 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.8% of Husqvarna 701 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.7%).

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%).

HUSQVARNA 701 84.9% pass · 582 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.