Norton 650SS vs Honda VFR800 Fi

The Norton 650SS passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR800 Fi: 93.8% vs 86.7%, a 7.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Norton 650SS	Honda VFR800 Fi
First-time pass rate	93.8%	86.7%
Outright fail rate	1.7%	8.5%
Engine size	650cc	781cc
Rank among all models	#198 of 5428	#1985 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,719	26,212
MOT tests analysed	1,084	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	Norton 650SS	Honda VFR800 Fi
Brakes	0.3%	3.2%
Steering & suspension	0.5%	2.6%
Lights & signalling	0.6%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	0.4%	2.3%
Fuel & exhaust	0.3%	0.5%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.4%
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	Norton 650SS	Honda VFR800 Fi
2010	96.6%	85.7%
2011	94.4%	85.4%
2012	94.1%	85.5%
2013	95.1%	85.1%
2014	91.8%	85.0%
2015	92.7%	86.5%
2016	95.8%	86.9%
2017	97.2%	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	Norton 650SS	Honda VFR800 Fi
0k-10k miles	92.6%	92.5%
10k-20k miles	97.5%	89.4%
20k-30k miles	91.7%	87.3%
30k-40k miles	96.9%	85.5%
40k-50k miles	98.2%	83.5%

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

Norton 650SS vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Norton 650SS or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

The Norton 650SS passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR800 Fi: 93.8% vs 86.7%, a 7.1-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Norton 650SS fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 0.6% of Norton 650SS MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.5%).

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 Norton 650SS or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

At 40k-50k miles the Norton 650SS passes first time more often: 98.2% for the Norton 650SS vs 83.5% for the Honda VFR800 Fi.

NORTON 650SS 93.8% pass · 1,084 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.