YAMAHA YZF-R6

599cc Petrol Class 2

#3770 of 5426 overall #258 of 409 YAMAHAs #182 of 226 sport bikes

YAMAHA YZF-R6 — Photo: Alpacaaviator · CC BY-SA 4.0

79.0%

first-time pass rate

12.4%

failed outright

17,024

median miles at test

155k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The YZF-R6's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2005 (82.5% → 83.3%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the YZF-R6's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage YZF-R6 passes first time 84.3% of the time; by 50k that's 70.1%.

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 YZF-R6

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	11,420	27.1	1.2×
brakes	8,962	21.3	1.0×
steering and suspension	5,376	12.8	0.9×
tyres and wheels	4,550	10.8	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	3,474	8.3	0.9×
reg plates and vin	2,614	6.2	2.2×
fuel and exhaust	1,757	4.2	1.4×
drive system	1,710	4.1	1.2×
suspension	1,259	3	0.9×
structure and attachments	957	2.3	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the YZF-R6 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (HONDA CBR600F, HONDA CBR600F, SUZUKI GSXR600).

HONDA CBR600F 81.7% pass · 202k tests HONDA CBR600F 81.7% pass · 202k tests SUZUKI GSXR600 76.7% pass · 149k tests SUZUKI GSXR600 76.7% pass · 149k 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 YZF-R6.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2016 (93.3% pass). Weakest: 1994 (71.1%).

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 YZF-R6 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA YZF-R6 reliable?

The YAMAHA YZF-R6 is less reliable than average for its class: 79.0% of its 155,295 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3770 of 5426 models.

What does a YZF-R6 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 27% of all defects recorded against failed YZF-R6 tests.

What is the best year of YZF-R6 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2016-registered examples do best (93.3%) and 1994 worst (71.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a YZF-R6 last?

The median YZF-R6 shows 17,024 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 70.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.