Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
YAMAHA VITY
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 VITY's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2012 (79.0% → 80.0%).
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage VITY passes first time 81.6% of the time; by 30k that's 58.5%.
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 VITY
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
185 | 34.6 | 1.7× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
111 | 20.7 | 1.2× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
71 | 13.3 | 1.9× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
54 | 10.1 | 1.5× |
| tyres |
|
37 | 6.9 | 3.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
26 | 4.9 | 0.5× |
| steering |
|
18 | 3.4 | 2.1× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
13 | 2.4 | 4.5× |
| structure and attachments |
|
11 | 2.1 | 0.6× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
9 | 1.7 | 0.7× |
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 VITY 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 VITY.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2008 (78.5%). Lowest: 2012 (66.7%). Every Vity 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 VITY FAQ
Is the YAMAHA VITY reliable?
The YAMAHA VITY is more reliable than average for its class: 75.5% of its 1,583 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4245 of 5428 models.
What does a VITY fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 35% of all defects recorded against failed VITY tests.
What is the best year of VITY to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (78.5%) and 2012 worst (66.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a VITY last?
The median VITY shows 10,242 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 58.5% 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 Vity reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.