BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory vs Yamaha YZF-R1

The Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R1: 86.6% vs 84.1%, a 2.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory Yamaha YZF-R1
First-time pass rate 86.6% 84.1%
Outright fail rate 6.8% 7.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -1.3 pts -0.5 pts
Engine size 998cc 998cc
Rank among all models #2016 of 5428 #2721 of 5428
Median miles at test 6,277 16,705
MOT tests analysed 2,414 231,553
Most common failure brakes lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better
Component Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory Yamaha YZF-R1
Lights & signalling 2.2% 4.3%
Brakes 2.7% 1.7%
Steering & suspension 2.1% 1.4%
Tyres & wheels 1.6% 1.9%
Drive system 0.5% 0.4%
Fuel & exhaust 0.4% 0.5%
Structure & body 0.0% 0.6%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory Yamaha YZF-R1
2010 86.3% 81.3%
2011 86.2% 81.8%
2012 80.5% 82.8%
2013 86.3% 82.8%
2014 90.0% 82.9%
2015 84.0% 84.0%
2016 86.0% 84.3%
2017 85.9% 84.8%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test
Mileage Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory Yamaha YZF-R1
0k-10k miles 86.9% 87.8%
10k-20k miles 86.7% 84.7%
20k-30k miles 86.1% 82.4%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory vs Yamaha YZF-R1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory or the Yamaha YZF-R1?

The Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R1: 86.6% vs 84.1%, a 2.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-1.3 vs -0.5 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.7% of Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.2%).

What does the Yamaha YZF-R1 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.3% of Yamaha YZF-R1 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.9%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory or the Yamaha YZF-R1?

At 20k-30k miles the Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory passes first time more often: 86.1% for the Aprilia RSV Mille R Factory vs 82.4% for the Yamaha YZF-R1.

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.