KTM 640 LC4-E vs Honda VFR800 Fi

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 640 LC4-E: 86.7% vs 80.6%, a 6.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 640 LC4-E	Honda VFR800 Fi
First-time pass rate	80.6%	86.7%
Outright fail rate	10.0%	8.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-6.8 pts	+4.5 pts
Engine size	625cc	781cc
Rank among all models	#3459 of 5428	#1985 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,836	26,212
MOT tests analysed	8,115	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	KTM 640 LC4-E	Honda VFR800 Fi
Lights & signalling	6.0%	2.4%
Steering & suspension	2.4%	2.6%
Brakes	1.5%	3.2%
Tyres & wheels	2.4%	2.3%
Drive system	1.0%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	0.5%
Structure & body	0.6%	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	KTM 640 LC4-E	Honda VFR800 Fi
2018	83.5%	86.1%
2019	82.2%	86.6%
2020	83.6%	87.0%
2021	79.5%	87.3%
2022	79.6%	87.1%
2023	83.8%	88.9%
2024	88.6%	88.9%
2025	82.5%	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	KTM 640 LC4-E	Honda VFR800 Fi
0k-10k miles	81.9%	92.5%
10k-20k miles	78.9%	89.4%
20k-30k miles	73.2%	87.3%
30k-40k miles	85.4%	85.5%

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

KTM 640 LC4-E vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 640 LC4-E or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 640 LC4-E: 86.7% vs 80.6%, a 6.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda VFR800 Fi still comes out ahead: -6.8 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 640 LC4-E, +4.5 for the Honda VFR800 Fi. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 640 LC4-E fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.0% of KTM 640 LC4-E MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.4%).

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 KTM 640 LC4-E or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

They are level: at 30k-40k miles the KTM 640 LC4-E passes 85.4% first time and the Honda VFR800 Fi 85.5%.

KTM 640 LC4-E 80.6% pass · 8,115 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.