Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Yamaha MT-07 vs Honda VFR800 Fi
The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha MT-07: 86.7% vs 85.9%, a 0.8-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Yamaha MT-07 | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 85.9% | 86.7% |
| Outright fail rate | 7.0% | 8.5% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -1.2 pts | +4.5 pts |
| Engine size | 689cc | 781cc |
| Rank among all models | #2232 of 5428 | #1985 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 9,558 | 26,212 |
| MOT tests analysed | 41,571 | 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 | Yamaha MT-07 | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 3.6% | 2.4% |
| Brakes | 1.3% | 3.2% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.7% | 2.6% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.7% | 2.3% |
| Structure & body | 1.5% | 0.4% |
| Drive system | 0.3% | 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
| Test year | Yamaha MT-07 | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2019 | 85.5% | 86.6% |
| 2020 | 87.5% | 87.0% |
| 2021 | 86.0% | 87.3% |
| 2022 | 85.8% | 87.1% |
| 2023 | 85.7% | 88.9% |
| 2024 | 87.6% | 88.9% |
| 2025 | 86.4% | 88.2% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Yamaha MT-07 | Honda VFR800 Fi |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 89.7% | 92.5% |
| 10k-20k miles | 83.9% | 89.4% |
| 20k-30k miles | 79.2% | 87.3% |
| 30k-40k miles | 75.3% | 85.5% |
| 40k-50k miles | 77.1% | 83.5% |
| 50k-60k miles | 74.4% | 81.4% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Yamaha MT-07 vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Yamaha MT-07 or the Honda VFR800 Fi?
The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha MT-07: 86.7% vs 85.9%, a 0.8-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 Yamaha MT-07, +4.5 for the Honda VFR800 Fi. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Yamaha MT-07 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 3.6% of Yamaha MT-07 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.7%).
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 Yamaha MT-07 or the Honda VFR800 Fi?
At 50k-60k miles the Honda VFR800 Fi passes first time more often: 74.4% for the Yamaha MT-07 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.