The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The RR's first-time pass rate has risen 11.4 points since 2017, 71.7% to 83.1%.
What fails on a RR
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
309 | 33.5 | 3.5× |
| suspension |
|
216 | 23.4 | 6.3× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
92 | 10 | 12.2× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
88 | 9.5 | 15.0× |
| tyres |
|
68 | 7.4 | 2.4× |
| brakes |
|
64 | 6.9 | 0.3× |
| structure and attachments |
|
34 | 3.7 | 1.2× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
19 | 2.1 | 0.1× |
| steering |
|
17 | 1.8 | 1.3× |
| wheels |
|
15 | 1.6 | 7.3× |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the RR beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA RD350, YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F).
Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the RR.
Compare with any bike
More BETA models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2021 (85.8% pass). Weakest: 2014 (76.3%).
First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.
BETA RR FAQ
Is the BETA RR reliable?
The BETA RR is less reliable than average for its class: 80.9% of its 3,198 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3398 of 5428 models.
What does a RR fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors — 34% of all defects recorded against failed RR tests.
What is the best year of RR to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2021-registered examples do best (85.8%) and 2014 worst (76.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.
Embed this bike
Free to embed on your site, blog or forum — a live Beta RR reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.