YAMAHA SZR660

659cc Petrol Class 2

#3914 of 5426 overall #273 of 409 YAMAHAs #2477 of 2787 other bikes

78.0%

first-time pass rate

13.9%

failed outright

14,926

median miles at test

1,354

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2022

The SZR660's first-time pass rate has risen 18.1 points since 2005, 71.9% to 90.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the SZR660's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage SZR660 passes first time 82.6% of the time; by 30k that's 69.2%.

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 SZR660

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	161	36.2	1.9×
steering and suspension	80	18	1.3×
brakes	79	17.8	1.0×
body and structure	32	7.2	3.5×
tyres and wheels	29	6.5	1.0×
drive system	15	3.4	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	15	3.4	0.6×
reg plates and vin	12	2.7	1.5×
driving controls	11	2.5	3.5×
fuel and exhaust	11	2.5	1.0×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the SZR660 beats 1 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 HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 SZR660.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1997 (77.6% pass). Weakest: 1996 (76.6%).

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 SZR660 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA SZR660 reliable?

The YAMAHA SZR660 is less reliable than average for its class: 78.0% of its 1,354 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3914 of 5426 models.

What does a SZR660 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed SZR660 tests.

What is the best year of SZR660 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1998-registered examples do best (77.6%) and 1996 worst (76.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a SZR660 last?

The median SZR660 shows 14,926 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 69.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.