Aprilia RSV1000 vs Yamaha YZF-R1

The Yamaha YZF-R1 passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia RSV1000: 84.1% vs 80.9%, a 3.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Aprilia RSV1000	Yamaha YZF-R1
First-time pass rate	80.9%	84.1%
Outright fail rate	10.0%	7.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-4.2 pts	-0.5 pts
Engine size	1,000cc	998cc
Rank among all models	#3398 of 5428	#2721 of 5428
Median miles at test	14,944	16,705
MOT tests analysed	1,856	231,553
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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 RSV1000	Yamaha YZF-R1
Lights & signalling	6.2%	4.3%
Brakes	3.0%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	2.5%	1.4%
Tyres & wheels	1.5%	1.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0.9%	0.5%
Drive system	0.8%	0.4%
Structure & body	0.3%	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 RSV1000	Yamaha YZF-R1
2010	82.0%	81.3%
2011	82.1%	81.8%
2012	72.4%	82.8%
2013	83.9%	82.8%
2014	76.8%	82.9%
2015	79.7%	84.0%
2016	83.3%	84.3%
2017	77.0%	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 RSV1000	Yamaha YZF-R1
0k-10k miles	87.2%	87.8%
10k-20k miles	80.5%	84.7%
20k-30k miles	76.6%	82.4%
30k-40k miles	74.2%	80.2%
40k-50k miles	77.0%	78.8%

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

Aprilia RSV1000 vs Yamaha YZF-R1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Aprilia RSV1000 or the Yamaha YZF-R1?

The Yamaha YZF-R1 passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia RSV1000: 84.1% vs 80.9%, a 3.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha YZF-R1 still comes out ahead: -4.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Aprilia RSV1000, -0.5 for the Yamaha YZF-R1. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Aprilia RSV1000 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.2% of Aprilia RSV1000 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 RSV1000 or the Yamaha YZF-R1?

At 40k-50k miles the Yamaha YZF-R1 passes first time more often: 77.0% for the Aprilia RSV1000 vs 78.8% for the Yamaha YZF-R1.

APRILIA RSV1000 80.9% pass · 1,856 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.