Kawasaki VN900 MOT pass rate and common failures
Kawasaki VN900 motorcycles pass the MOT 86.4% of the time, measured across 228 tests in the DVSA record. A further 7.46% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) - it accounts for 35.7% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check not working and does not conform to the specified requirements, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (14.5% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 20,873 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 | 84.78% | 92 | |
| 16+ years | 87.69% | 130 |
Why the Kawasaki VN900 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 | Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) | 35.7% | 5 | |
| 2 | Not working | 35.7% | 5 | |
| 3 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 28.6% | 4 | |
| 4 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 28.6% | 4 | |
| 5 | Missing | 28.6% | 4 | |
| 6 | Insecure | 21.4% | 3 | |
| 7 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 14.3% | 2 | |
| 8 | Has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | 14.3% | 2 | |
| 9 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 14.3% | 2 | |
| 10 | Too high | 14.3% | 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 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 14.5% | 33 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 5.3% | 12 | |
| 3 | Tread not clearly visible | 2.6% | 6 | |
| 4 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 2.2% | 5 | |
| 5 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 2.2% | 5 | |
| 6 | Significantly and obviously worn | 2.2% | 5 | |
| 7 | Has a serious fluid leak | 1.8% | 4 | |
| 8 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 1.8% | 4 | |
| 9 | Inscription illegible | 1.3% | 3 | |
| 10 | Bent so it cannot be readily operated | 0.9% | 2 |
Kawasaki VN900 for sale
No Kawasaki VN900 in stock at the moment - 1,110 other Kawasaki bikes are advertised.
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 | |
| Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc | 12,456 | 90.8% | 12,824 | |
| BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc | 9,796 | 91.92% | 40,594 | |
| BMW S 1000 · 999cc | 8,445 | 91.96% | 15,282 | |
| Yamaha YZF R1 · 998cc | 6,022 | 88.01% | 23,152 | |
| Yamaha MT 800-1000cc · 800-1000cc | 5,720 | 90.98% | 16,130 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method