Kawasaki VN800 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki VN800 car check
Is the Kawasaki VN800 reliable? We analysed 28,140 real MOT tests across 2,110 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki VN800? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki VN800 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki VN800.
Kawasaki VN800 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki VN800. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki VN800 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki VN800 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki VN800 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki VN800 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki VN800 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Kawasaki VN800 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Kawasaki VN800 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki VN800 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki VN800 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki VN800 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 114 | 86.8% | 7,887 | 11,914 | 17,576 |
| 2008 | 70 | 90.0% | 6,711 | 12,830 | 20,159 |
| 2007 | 329 | 90.6% | 8,322 | 14,972 | 21,331 |
| 2006 | 554 | 86.3% | 6,818 | 10,722 | 20,373 |
| 2005 | 1,733 | 88.6% | 5,696 | 10,896 | 18,819 |
| 2004 | 1,326 | 86.8% | 6,848 | 12,650 | 23,221 |
| 2003 | 3,177 | 85.9% | 6,923 | 11,748 | 20,152 |
| 2002 | 2,355 | 88.9% | 8,137 | 13,986 | 23,189 |
| 2001 | 2,693 | 86.7% | 8,840 | 15,950 | 25,783 |
| 2000 | 1,993 | 87.3% | 10,338 | 17,374 | 27,446 |
| 1999 | 2,815 | 85.6% | 11,768 | 17,501 | 25,628 |
| 1998 | 2,840 | 85.5% | 10,375 | 17,640 | 25,971 |
| 1997 | 3,468 | 85.5% | 11,297 | 18,132 | 26,903 |
| 1996 | 2,955 | 84.1% | 11,623 | 19,366 | 28,416 |
| 1995 | 1,494 | 83.9% | 12,747 | 20,683 | 29,654 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki VN800 Last?
Based on 2,110 Kawasaki VN800 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki VN800 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki VN800 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 Kawasaki VN800
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.6% MOT pass rate from 329 tests
83.9% MOT pass rate from 1,494 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki VN800 is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.6% across 329 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 83.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki VN800 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki VN800 THIS CAR | 86.2% | 28,140 | 16,043 mi | 31 yrs |
| Kawasaki ZX-6R | 81.7% | 204,826 | 19,965 mi | 31 yrs |
| Kawasaki ZX-9R | 83.7% | 103,150 | 22,736 mi | 32 yrs |
| Kawasaki ER5 | 81.2% | 65,763 | 22,023 mi | 30 yrs |
| Great Wall Steed | 72.8% | 8,467 | 52,696 mi | 13 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki VN800 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki VN800 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 Kawasaki VN800Should you buy a used Kawasaki VN800?
The Kawasaki VN800 has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.2% across 28,140 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 Kawasaki VN800 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (299 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (187), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (160). 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 Kawasaki VN800 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Kawasaki VN800 owner drives around 560 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 Kawasaki VN800 models stay on UK roads for around 31 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.