Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
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 HW's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.3 points since 2017, 84.3% to 82.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage HW passes first time 85.9% of the time; by 40k that's 74.5%.
First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.
What fails on a HW
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
154 | 43.4 | 2.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
53 | 14.9 | 2.1× |
| tyres |
|
45 | 12.7 | 5.1× |
| suspension |
|
44 | 12.4 | 4.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
19 | 5.4 | 0.8× |
| steering |
|
12 | 3.4 | 2.0× |
| steering and suspension |
|
8 | 2.3 | 0.2× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
8 | 2.3 | 0.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
7 | 2 | 1.0× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
5 | 1.4 | 2.0× |
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 HW beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).
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 HW.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2015 (83.7%). Lowest: 2013 (77.9%). Every HW year compared →
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.
YAMAHA HW FAQ
Is the YAMAHA HW reliable?
The YAMAHA HW is more reliable than average for its class: 80.7% of its 1,068 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #3439 of 5428 models.
What does a HW fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 43% of all defects recorded against failed HW tests.
What is the best year of HW to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2015-registered examples do best (83.7%) and 2013 worst (77.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a HW last?
The median HW shows 12,347 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 74.5% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
Embed this bike
Free to embed on your site, blog or forum: a live Yamaha HW reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.