Honda VFR800 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda VFR800 car check
Is the Honda VFR800 reliable? We analysed 72,376 real MOT tests across 5,205 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda VFR800? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda VFR800 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda VFR800.
Honda VFR800 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda VFR800. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda VFR800 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda VFR800 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda VFR800 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda VFR800 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda VFR800 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Honda VFR800 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Honda VFR800 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda VFR800 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda VFR800 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda VFR800 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 74 | 87.8% | 9,672 | 19,230 | 29,028 |
| 2014 | 88 | 92.0% | 6,767 | 12,928 | 20,466 |
| 2012 | 172 | 90.1% | 9,014 | 13,878 | 23,943 |
| 2011 | 237 | 91.6% | 9,110 | 14,688 | 21,961 |
| 2010 | 163 | 93.9% | 6,366 | 13,921 | 21,974 |
| 2009 | 575 | 89.6% | 10,706 | 16,029 | 25,246 |
| 2008 | 927 | 88.1% | 10,104 | 15,285 | 25,512 |
| 2007 | 929 | 88.4% | 11,947 | 19,427 | 30,319 |
| 2006 | 1,527 | 88.6% | 12,654 | 20,803 | 31,762 |
| 2005 | 8,126 | 88.1% | 11,283 | 18,878 | 29,463 |
| 2004 | 10,713 | 87.9% | 11,870 | 19,757 | 30,897 |
| 2003 | 16,221 | 88.2% | 12,166 | 20,553 | 32,439 |
| 2002 | 23,521 | 87.3% | 13,644 | 22,693 | 34,182 |
| 2001 | 3,163 | 86.5% | 15,107 | 24,676 | 38,284 |
| 2000 | 1,787 | 86.2% | 19,166 | 26,749 | 38,179 |
| 1999 | 1,917 | 85.2% | 17,962 | 29,032 | 42,361 |
| 1998 | 1,705 | 85.3% | 19,424 | 30,198 | 42,635 |
| 1997 | 145 | 84.8% | 20,313 | 31,317 | 38,116 |
How Long Does a Honda VFR800 Last?
Based on 5,205 Honda VFR800 vehicles on UK roads.
Honda VFR800 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda VFR800 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 VFR800
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.9% MOT pass rate from 163 tests
84.8% MOT pass rate from 145 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda VFR800 is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.9% across 163 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda VFR800 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda VFR800 THIS CAR | 87.7% | 72,376 | 21,453 mi | 28 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 |
| Peugeot 1007 | 73.6% | 124,460 | 44,502 mi | 21 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda VFR800 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda VFR800 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 VFR800Should you buy a used Honda VFR800?
The Honda VFR800 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.7% across 72,376 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 VFR800 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (1,029 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (447), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (441). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Honda VFR800 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Honda VFR800 owner drives around 1,075 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 VFR800 models stay on UK roads for around 28 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.