Matchless G12 vs Honda VFR800 Fi

The Matchless G12 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR800 Fi: 92.3% vs 86.7%, a 5.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Matchless G12	Honda VFR800 Fi
First-time pass rate	92.3%	86.7%
Outright fail rate	2.7%	8.5%
Engine size	650cc	781cc
Rank among all models	#415 of 5428	#1985 of 5428
Median miles at test	20,737	26,212
MOT tests analysed	1,593	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.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Matchless G12	Honda VFR800 Fi
Brakes	0.4%	3.2%
Steering & suspension	0.9%	2.6%
Lights & signalling	1.0%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	0.4%	2.3%
Fuel & exhaust	0.4%	0.5%
Drive system	0.1%	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

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Matchless G12	Honda VFR800 Fi
2010	86.6%	85.7%
2011	88.7%	85.4%
2012	92.1%	85.5%
2013	90.9%	85.1%
2014	89.8%	85.0%
2015	90.9%	86.5%
2016	94.3%	86.9%
2017	95.4%	86.5%

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	Matchless G12	Honda VFR800 Fi
0k-10k miles	92.5%	92.5%
10k-20k miles	89.1%	89.4%
20k-30k miles	89.5%	87.3%
30k-40k miles	90.2%	85.5%
40k-50k miles	97.8%	83.5%
50k-60k miles	93.2%	81.4%

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

Matchless G12 vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Matchless G12 or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

The Matchless G12 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR800 Fi: 92.3% vs 86.7%, a 5.6-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Matchless G12 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.0% of Matchless G12 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.9%).

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 Matchless G12 or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

At 50k-60k miles the Matchless G12 passes first time more often: 93.2% for the Matchless G12 vs 81.4% for the Honda VFR800 Fi.

MATCHLESS G12 92.3% pass · 1,593 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.