Aprilia RSV Mille R vs Yamaha YZF-R1

The Aprilia RSV Mille R passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R1: 84.8% vs 84.1%, a 0.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Aprilia RSV Mille R	Yamaha YZF-R1
First-time pass rate	84.8%	84.1%
Outright fail rate	8.1%	7.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-2.9 pts	-0.5 pts
Engine size	998cc	998cc
Rank among all models	#2543 of 5428	#2721 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,018	16,705
MOT tests analysed	2,558	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	Yamaha YZF-R1
Lights & signalling	3.3%	4.3%
Brakes	3.0%	1.7%
Tyres & wheels	2.1%	1.9%
Steering & suspension	1.4%	1.4%
Drive system	0.7%	0.4%
Structure & body	0.2%	0.6%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.5%

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	Yamaha YZF-R1
2010	83.6%	81.3%
2011	87.4%	81.8%
2012	81.9%	82.8%
2013	84.6%	82.8%
2014	83.3%	82.9%
2015	88.8%	84.0%
2016	84.3%	84.3%
2017	84.8%	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	Yamaha YZF-R1
0k-10k miles	86.0%	87.8%
10k-20k miles	83.0%	84.7%
20k-30k miles	83.8%	82.4%

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

Aprilia RSV Mille R vs Yamaha YZF-R1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Aprilia RSV Mille R passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R1: 84.8% vs 84.1%, a 0.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha YZF-R1 still comes out ahead: -2.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Aprilia RSV Mille R, -0.5 for the Yamaha YZF-R1. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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

Lights & signalling: 3.3% of Aprilia RSV Mille R MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.0%).

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 or the Yamaha YZF-R1?

At 20k-30k miles the Aprilia RSV Mille R passes first time more often: 83.8% for the Aprilia RSV Mille R vs 82.4% for the Yamaha YZF-R1.

APRILIA RSV MILLE R 84.8% pass · 2,558 tests YAMAHA YZF-R1 84.1% pass · 232k tests

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