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 MT-09's first-time pass rate has risen 3.9 points since 2016, 87.5% to 91.4%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage MT-09 passes first time 92.3% of the time; by 50k that's 84.4%.
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 MT-09
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
983 | 33.5 | 1.0× |
| tyres |
|
518 | 17.7 | 1.5× |
| structure and attachments |
|
407 | 13.9 | 1.1× |
| brakes |
|
327 | 11.1 | 0.1× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
246 | 8.4 | 2.4× |
| steering |
|
148 | 5 | 0.7× |
| suspension |
|
133 | 4.5 | 0.4× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
74 | 2.5 | 0.9× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
71 | 2.4 | n/a |
| tyres and wheels |
|
26 | 0.9 | n/a |
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 MT-09 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 MT-09.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2017 (92.9%). Lowest: 2013 (87.4%). Every MT-09 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 MT-09 FAQ
Is the YAMAHA MT-09 reliable?
The YAMAHA MT-09 is more reliable than average for its class: 91.0% of its 44,659 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #682 of 5428 models.
What does a MT-09 fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors: 34% of all defects recorded against failed MT-09 tests.
What is the best year of MT-09 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2017-registered examples do best (92.9%) and 2013 worst (87.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a MT-09 last?
The median MT-09 shows 9,730 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 84.4% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
Embed this bike
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