Honda VF500 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda VF500 car check
Is the Honda VF500 reliable? We analysed 2,334 real MOT tests across 405 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda VF500? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda VF500 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars.. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda VF500.
Honda VF500 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda VF500. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda VF500 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda VF500 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda VF500 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda VF500 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda VF500 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda VF500 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda VF500 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda VF500 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 293 | 88.7% | 24,910 | 31,985 | 41,092 |
| 1986 | 611 | 83.6% | 21,662 | 32,770 | 41,398 |
| 1985 | 643 | 81.3% | 21,339 | 28,906 | 37,719 |
| 1984 | 665 | 83.3% | 21,292 | 30,322 | 40,964 |
How Long Does a Honda VF500 Last?
Based on 405 Honda VF500 vehicles on UK roads.
Honda VF500 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda VF500 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Honda VF500
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.7% MOT pass rate from 293 tests
81.3% MOT pass rate from 643 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda VF500 is 1987, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.7% across 293 tests. The 1985 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda VF500 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda VF500 THIS CAR | 83.4% | 2,334 | 30,633 mi | 42 yrs |
| Honda Civic | 73.7% | 9,391,580 | 74,987 mi | 34 yrs |
| Honda Jazz | 81% | 5,740,892 | 48,635 mi | 24 yrs |
| Honda Cr-v | 78.5% | 4,177,643 | 80,499 mi | 29 yrs |
| Vauxhall Astra Design Cdti Ecoflex S/s | 91.7% | 1,223 | 84,047 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda VF500 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda VF500 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Honda VF500Should you buy a used Honda VF500?
The Honda VF500 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.4% across 2,334 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Honda VF500 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (90 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (24), and handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. (22). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Honda VF500 owner drives around 271 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Honda VF500 models stay on UK roads for around 42 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.