Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Kawasaki Ex vs Honda VFR800 Fi
The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki Ex: 86.7% vs 85.0%, a 1.7-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Kawasaki Ex | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 85.0% | 86.7% |
| Outright fail rate | 8.0% | 8.5% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -2.0 pts | +4.5 pts |
| Engine size | 649cc | 781cc |
| Rank among all models | #2491 of 5428 | #1985 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 9,625 | 26,212 |
| MOT tests analysed | 12,054 | 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
| Component | Kawasaki Ex | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 3.7% | 2.4% |
| Brakes | 2.3% | 3.2% |
| Tyres & wheels | 2.3% | 2.3% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.7% | 2.6% |
| Structure & body | 1.5% | 0.4% |
| Drive system | 0.2% | 0.4% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.0% | 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
| Test year | Kawasaki Ex | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2019 | 84.8% | 86.6% |
| 2020 | 84.3% | 87.0% |
| 2021 | 84.0% | 87.3% |
| 2022 | 86.2% | 87.1% |
| 2023 | 85.6% | 88.9% |
| 2024 | 85.3% | 88.9% |
| 2025 | 85.1% | 88.2% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Kawasaki Ex | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 89.7% | 92.5% |
| 10k-20k miles | 83.1% | 89.4% |
| 20k-30k miles | 75.4% | 87.3% |
| 30k-40k miles | 71.9% | 85.5% |
| 40k-50k miles | 67.5% | 83.5% |
| 50k-60k miles | 74.5% | 81.4% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Kawasaki Ex vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki Ex or the Honda VFR800 Fi?
The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki Ex: 86.7% vs 85.0%, a 1.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda VFR800 Fi still comes out ahead: -2.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Kawasaki Ex, +4.5 for the Honda VFR800 Fi. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Kawasaki Ex fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 3.7% of Kawasaki Ex MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.3%).
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 Kawasaki Ex or the Honda VFR800 Fi?
At 50k-60k miles the Honda VFR800 Fi passes first time more often: 74.5% for the Kawasaki Ex vs 81.4% for the Honda VFR800 Fi.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.