Honda VFR 1200 F-A MOT pass rate and common failures

Honda VFR 1200 F-A motorcycles pass the MOT 87.5% of the time, measured across 360 tests in the DVSA record. A further 3.61% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

About average - within 0.6 points of the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 87.5% 315 of 360

Fixed at the station 3.61% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 28,682 miles

Average age at test 14.6 years old

Engine 1,237cc MOT class 2

For sale now 0 Honda VFR 1200 F-A adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

Start with excessively binding - it accounts for 21.9% of failed tests on this model.
Then check not working and tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, the next two most common reasons.
The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (7.8% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 28,682 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.

Pass rate by age

A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.

Age at test	Pass rate		Tests
11-15 years	87.5%		360

Why the Honda VFR 1200 F-A fails

Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.

#	Item	Of failures	Tests
1	Excessively binding	21.9%	7
2	Not working	18.8%	6
3	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	15.6%	5
4	Less than 1.0 mm thick	12.5%	4
5	Not working on dipped beam	12.5%	4
6	Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls	9.4%	3
7	Has a serious fluid leak	9.4%	3
8	Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s)	6.3%	2
9	Fractured	6.3%	2
10	Grip insecure to handlebar	6.3%	2

Most common advisories

Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.

#	Item	Of all tests	Tests
1	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	7.8%	28
2	Excessively binding	4.7%	17
3	Has a major leak of exhaust gases	4.7%	17
4	Less than 1.0 mm thick	4.7%	17
5	Excessively stiff or notchy	4.4%	16
6	Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition	3.3%	12
7	Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort	2.5%	9
8	Has a serious fluid leak	2.2%	8
9	In such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2.2%	8
10	Component pin or bush excessively worn	1.4%	5

Honda VFR 1200 F-A for sale

No Honda VFR 1200 F-A in stock at the moment - 74 other Honda bikes are advertised.

Used Honda VFR 1200 F-A Used Honda All Honda Honda MOT statistics

Similar bikes compared

Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.

Model	Tests	Pass rate	Avg mileage
Triumph TIGER · 969cc	16,144	91.27%	22,934
BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc	9,796	91.92%	40,594
BMW R1200 · 1,170cc	9,521	94.43%	28,830
BMW S 1000 · 999cc	8,445	91.96%	15,282
BMW R1250 · 1,254cc	6,764	96.17%	17,373
BMW R 1200 · 1,170cc	6,170	95.28%	27,241

Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method

Honda VFR 1200 F-A MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda VFR 1200 F-A?+

87.5% of Honda VFR 1200 F-A MOT tests end in a pass, based on 360 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Honda VFR 1200 F-A?+

Excessively binding, which appears in 21.9% of failed tests on this model.

Where does this data come from?+

From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.

Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+

Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.