Yamaha XJ900 vs Honda VFR800 Fi

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XJ900: 86.7% vs 81.2%, a 5.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Yamaha XJ900	Honda VFR800 Fi
First-time pass rate	81.2%	86.7%
Outright fail rate	12.2%	8.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.4 pts	+4.5 pts
Engine size	892cc	781cc
Rank among all models	#3336 of 5428	#1985 of 5428
Median miles at test	32,674	26,212
MOT tests analysed	37,101	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	Yamaha XJ900	Honda VFR800 Fi
Brakes	5.5%	3.2%
Steering & suspension	4.6%	2.6%
Lights & signalling	4.1%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	3.0%	2.3%
Fuel & exhaust	1.1%	0.5%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.4%
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

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

Test year	Yamaha XJ900	Honda VFR800 Fi
2018	84.8%	86.1%
2019	82.8%	86.6%
2020	82.8%	87.0%
2021	83.3%	87.3%
2022	83.1%	87.1%
2023	83.3%	88.9%
2024	85.2%	88.9%
2025	82.8%	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	Yamaha XJ900	Honda VFR800 Fi
0k-10k miles	87.1%	92.5%
10k-20k miles	86.6%	89.4%
20k-30k miles	83.9%	87.3%
30k-40k miles	79.7%	85.5%
40k-50k miles	78.8%	83.5%
50k-60k miles	76.0%	81.4%

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

Yamaha XJ900 vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha XJ900 or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XJ900: 86.7% vs 81.2%, a 5.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda VFR800 Fi still comes out ahead: -0.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha XJ900, +4.5 for the Honda VFR800 Fi. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Yamaha XJ900 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 5.5% of Yamaha XJ900 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.6%).

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 XJ900 or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

At 50k-60k miles the Honda VFR800 Fi passes first time more often: 76.0% for the Yamaha XJ900 vs 81.4% for the Honda VFR800 Fi.

YAMAHA XJ900 81.2% pass · 37.1k 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.