YAMAHA MT-09

847cc Petrol Class 2

#680 of 5426 overall #23 of 409 YAMAHAs #414 of 2787 other bikes

91.0%

first-time pass rate

3.9%

failed outright

9,730

median miles at test

44.7k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2025

The MT-09's first-time pass rate has risen 3.9 points since 2016, 87.5% to 91.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the MT-09's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

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

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	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	—
tyres and wheels	26	0.9	—

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the MT-09 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests

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.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2017 (92.9% pass). Weakest: 2013 (87.4%).

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

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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 #680 of 5426 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 — mileage alone rarely kills one.