Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Triumph S vs Honda VFR800 Fi
The Triumph S passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR800 Fi: 88.6% vs 86.7%, a 1.9-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Triumph S | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 88.6% | 86.7% |
| Outright fail rate | 5.1% | 8.5% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +1.2 pts | +4.5 pts |
| Engine size | 675cc | 781cc |
| Rank among all models | #1402 of 5428 | #1985 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 9,159 | 26,212 |
| MOT tests analysed | 26,757 | 89,421 |
| Most common failure | lamps and reflectors | 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
| Component | Triumph S | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 2.4% | 2.4% |
| Brakes | 1.2% | 3.2% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.2% | 2.6% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.0% | 2.3% |
| Structure & body | 0.7% | 0.4% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.0% | 0.5% |
| Drive system | 0.0% | 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
| Test year | Triumph S | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 86.9% | 86.1% |
| 2019 | 86.6% | 86.6% |
| 2020 | 89.5% | 87.0% |
| 2021 | 89.5% | 87.3% |
| 2022 | 88.9% | 87.1% |
| 2023 | 89.4% | 88.9% |
| 2024 | 89.1% | 88.9% |
| 2025 | 89.0% | 88.2% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Triumph S | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 90.9% | 92.5% |
| 10k-20k miles | 86.7% | 89.4% |
| 20k-30k miles | 83.7% | 87.3% |
| 30k-40k miles | 81.2% | 85.5% |
| 40k-50k miles | 78.7% | 83.5% |
| 50k-60k miles | 77.6% | 81.4% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Triumph S vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Triumph S or the Honda VFR800 Fi?
The Triumph S passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR800 Fi: 88.6% vs 86.7%, a 1.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda VFR800 Fi still comes out ahead: +1.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph S, +4.5 for the Honda VFR800 Fi. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Triumph S fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 2.4% of Triumph S MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.2%).
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 Triumph S or the Honda VFR800 Fi?
At 50k-60k miles the Honda VFR800 Fi passes first time more often: 77.6% for the Triumph S vs 81.4% for the Honda VFR800 Fi.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.