Matchless G12CSR vs Honda VFR800 Fi

The Matchless G12CSR passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR800 Fi: 93.5% vs 86.7%, a 6.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Matchless G12CSR	Honda VFR800 Fi
First-time pass rate	93.5%	86.7%
Outright fail rate	2.9%	8.5%
Engine size	650cc	781cc
Rank among all models	#234 of 5428	#1985 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,760	26,212
MOT tests analysed	279	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.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Matchless G12CSR	Honda VFR800 Fi
0k-10k miles	92.4%	92.5%
10k-20k miles	90.9%	89.4%
40k-50k miles	96.8%	83.5%

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

MATCHLESS G12CSR 93.5% pass · 279 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.