Honda

Honda Vfr (2016)

672 real MOT outcomes analysed • 95% first-time pass rate

2016 Honda Vfr

CarHunch analysed 672 real MOT records for the 2016 Honda Vfr. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2016 Honda VFR is significantly more reliable than the UK average, with a 95% first-time pass rate compared to 80% nationally—a genuinely strong result. The dangerous defect rate of 11.6% is well below concern threshold, suggesting buyers can feel confident about safety-critical systems on this model.

These bikes are running light mileage for their age (median 12,600 miles), which partly explains the high pass rate, but the real story is in the failure data: only 0.35 failures per vehicle means most that do fail need only minor fixes. With 2.2 advisories per bike on average, you're looking at typical wear items rather than systemic problems—get a pre-purchase inspection to check suspension and brake condition, as these are where motorcycles typically rack up advisory notices.

The 2016 Honda Vfr passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (95% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

⚠️ About 1 in 12 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
95%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
11.6%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.35
Over 6.2 tests on record
Low
Typical mileage
13k
Middle half: 9k–19k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 95% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 2.2 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 672 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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What tends to go wrong

Across 672 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 32%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 20.3%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Other issues 19.7%
COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
Exhaust & emissions 15.2%
Exhaust noisy
Suspension & steering 6.7%
Steering headbearing slightly stiff or notchy
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Lighting 6.6%
Drive chain slightly loose · Headlamp aim too high
Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 672 Honda Vfr cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2016 Honda Vfr

Based on MOT data from 672 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 11.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 5,734 Honda Vfr vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 47%
2,693
White 17.8%
1,018
Black 16.6%
952
Silver 11.1%
638
Blue 2.7%
155
Multi-colour 2.5%
146
Yellow 0.8%
48
Green 0.8%
44
Grey 0.2%
12
Orange 0.2%
12
Bronze 0.2%
11
Purple 0.1%
5

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Honda Vfr vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

12,600
typical
8,768
low mileage
19,023
high mileage

Half of all 2016 Honda Vfr vehicles fall between 8,768 and 19,023 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 8,768 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
8,768–19,023 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Honda Vfrs sit.
Over 25,681 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Honda Vfr — Still on the Road

Most 2016 Honda Vfrs are still being driven.

Strong survival — 519 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 88% of the peak.

591 519 2019 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

6.2
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.35
Avg failures per vehicle
2.2
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Honda Vfr: All Vfr years → Which year to buy? →
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Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Honda Vfr stacks up against a rival.

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