Suzuki SFV 650 K9 vs Honda VFR800 Fi

The Suzuki SFV 650 K9 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR800 Fi: 88.1% vs 86.7%, a 1.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki SFV 650 K9	Honda VFR800 Fi
First-time pass rate	88.1%	86.7%
Outright fail rate	6.4%	8.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.2 pts	+4.5 pts
Engine size	645cc	781cc
Rank among all models	#1574 of 5428	#1985 of 5428
Median miles at test	11,954	26,212
MOT tests analysed	5,205	89,421
Most common failure	brakes	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	Suzuki SFV 650 K9	Honda VFR800 Fi
Brakes	2.2%	3.2%
Lights & signalling	2.2%	2.4%
Steering & suspension	1.9%	2.6%
Tyres & wheels	1.8%	2.3%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.4%
Drive system	0.4%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	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

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

Test year	Suzuki SFV 650 K9	Honda VFR800 Fi
2018	86.7%	86.1%
2019	84.8%	86.6%
2020	85.8%	87.0%
2021	84.8%	87.3%
2022	86.9%	87.1%
2023	87.0%	88.9%
2024	85.0%	88.9%
2025	84.0%	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	Suzuki SFV 650 K9	Honda VFR800 Fi
0k-10k miles	93.1%	92.5%
10k-20k miles	88.1%	89.4%
20k-30k miles	80.1%	87.3%
30k-40k miles	81.3%	85.5%
40k-50k miles	78.5%	83.5%
50k-60k miles	83.1%	81.4%

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

Suzuki SFV 650 K9 vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki SFV 650 K9 or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

The Suzuki SFV 650 K9 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR800 Fi: 88.1% vs 86.7%, a 1.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda VFR800 Fi still comes out ahead: +2.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki SFV 650 K9, +4.5 for the Honda VFR800 Fi. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki SFV 650 K9 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.2% of Suzuki SFV 650 K9 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.2%).

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 Suzuki SFV 650 K9 or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

At 50k-60k miles the Suzuki SFV 650 K9 passes first time more often: 83.1% for the Suzuki SFV 650 K9 vs 81.4% for the Honda VFR800 Fi.

SUZUKI SFV 650 K9 88.1% pass · 5,205 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.