Yamaha XT 660 X vs Honda VFR800 Fi

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XT 660 X: 86.7% vs 83.9%, a 2.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Yamaha XT 660 X	Honda VFR800 Fi
First-time pass rate	83.9%	86.7%
Outright fail rate	8.5%	8.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-2.3 pts	+4.5 pts
Engine size	659cc	781cc
Rank among all models	#2767 of 5428	#1985 of 5428
Median miles at test	11,041	26,212
MOT tests analysed	12,377	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.

"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 XT 660 X	Honda VFR800 Fi
Lights & signalling	3.4%	2.4%
Brakes	2.1%	3.2%
Steering & suspension	2.3%	2.6%
Tyres & wheels	2.5%	2.3%
Drive system	0.8%	0.4%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.3%	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	Yamaha XT 660 X	Honda VFR800 Fi
2018	85.2%	86.1%
2019	84.9%	86.6%
2020	84.7%	87.0%
2021	85.4%	87.3%
2022	87.6%	87.1%
2023	84.4%	88.9%
2024	86.4%	88.9%
2025	84.4%	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 XT 660 X	Honda VFR800 Fi
0k-10k miles	87.8%	92.5%
10k-20k miles	82.8%	89.4%
20k-30k miles	77.6%	87.3%
30k-40k miles	79.6%	85.5%
40k-50k miles	76.6%	83.5%
50k-60k miles	81.8%	81.4%

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

Yamaha XT 660 X vs Honda VFR800 Fi FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha XT 660 X or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

The Honda VFR800 Fi passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XT 660 X: 86.7% vs 83.9%, a 2.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda VFR800 Fi still comes out ahead: -2.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha XT 660 X, +4.5 for the Honda VFR800 Fi. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Yamaha XT 660 X fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.4% of Yamaha XT 660 X MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (2.5%).

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 Yamaha XT 660 X or the Honda VFR800 Fi?

They are level: at 50k-60k miles the Yamaha XT 660 X passes 81.8% first time and the Honda VFR800 Fi 81.4%.

YAMAHA XT 660 X 83.9% pass · 12.4k 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.