Honda Vf500 (1986)
1986 Honda Vf500
CarHunch analysed 106 real MOT records for the 1986 Honda Vf500. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1986 Honda VF500 hits the UK average with an 80.4% first-time pass rate, and a low 8.5% dangerous defect rate means serious safety issues are rare in this cohort. These are reassuring figures for a nearly 40-year-old motorcycle, suggesting the survivors in the data have been reasonably well maintained.
At a median mileage of just 34,211 miles, these bikes show relatively light use for their age, which helps explain why they're passing tests—but it also means any example you find will vary wildly depending on storage and service history. The average of 1.0 failure and 3.4 advisories per test indicates minor wear items crop up regularly, so budget for brake fluid, cables, and gasket refreshes before buying and check the service records carefully.
What to check before buying a 1986 Honda Vf500
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Honda Vf500
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 105 | 80.2% | 1.01 |
| Other (1%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 Honda Vf500 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1986 Honda Vf500 vehicles fall between 24,088 and 44,110 miles.
1986 Honda Vf500 — Still on the Road
15 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 58% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Honda Vf500
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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22.7%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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19.3%
Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
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16.8%
Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
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16%
Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn
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14.3%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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12.6%
Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
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11.8%
Headlamp aim too low
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11.8%
Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Vf500?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.