The picture

Vfr800: a strong MOT record by UK norms

Across 2,522 MOT tests, the Vfr800 returns 85.1% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. Tyre tread under the limit and brake pads worn below 1.0 mm round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 32,568, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.

ABI Insurance Group

Group 10–26

Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.

Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →

10–26

out of 50

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Top ten reasons for rejection.

Filter failures:

Hide wear items to see the model's real defects.

01

A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely

71 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
02

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

30 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
03

A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps

27 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
04

Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm

26 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
05

Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

18 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
06

Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake

17 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
07

Brake efficiency below minimum requirement

16 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
08

Rear registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps

14 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
09

A stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released

13 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
10

A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

11 occurrences · 0.3% of tests

Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.

Worst-case fix budget · top 4 failures

£156–£325

If every one of this Vfr800's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →

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Tools that pre-empt a retest.

Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.

Item 01 · Amazon UK

Digital tyre-tread depth gauge

Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.

Search Amazon UK

Item 02 · Amazon UK

H7 / W21W bulb pack

A spare-bulb kit lives in the boot. Test morning is not the time to find your stop-lamp's gone.

Search Amazon UK

Item 03 · Amazon UK

Brake pad measurement gauge

Testers fail pads under 1.5mm. A wear gauge tells you if you've got two months left or two weeks.

Search Amazon UK

My Motor World · affiliate

Parts & supplies for this fix

Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.

Draper

Draper Drain Plug Key, 3/8 Square x 3/8 Sq. Dr.

£15.39

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Hycote

Hycote Honda Nighthawk Black Pearlescent Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml

£6.59

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Hycote

Hycote Honda Milano Red Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml

£6.59

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Hycote

Hycote Honda Satin Silver Metallic Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml

£6.59

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Click Mechanic · affiliate

Book a mobile mechanic

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Mobile mechanic · UK-wide

Book a mechanic at your door.

Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.

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Buying or keeping a Vfr800?

Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.

If you own a Vfr800 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.