BMW G 650 GS vs Yamaha FZS600

The BMW G 650 GS passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 88.2% vs 82.6%, a 5.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	BMW G 650 GS	Yamaha FZS600
First-time pass rate	88.2%	82.6%
Outright fail rate	6.3%	10.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.4 pts	-0.8 pts
Engine size	652cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#1544 of 5428	#3052 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,176	21,612
MOT tests analysed	2,236	136,558
Most common failure	brakes	brakes

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	BMW G 650 GS	Yamaha FZS600
Brakes	2.5%	4.5%
Lights & signalling	2.1%	3.4%
Steering & suspension	1.5%	2.7%
Tyres & wheels	0.9%	2.9%
Drive system	0.9%	0.9%
Structure & body	0.3%	1.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	1.1%

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	BMW G 650 GS	Yamaha FZS600
2014	89.3%	81.2%
2015	89.2%	81.1%
2016	87.9%	82.2%
2017	88.1%	82.0%
2018	81.8%	81.3%

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	BMW G 650 GS	Yamaha FZS600
0k-10k miles	90.5%	89.6%
10k-20k miles	85.6%	85.5%
20k-30k miles	85.6%	81.4%
30k-40k miles	75.4%	78.7%

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

BMW G 650 GS vs Yamaha FZS600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW G 650 GS or the Yamaha FZS600?

The BMW G 650 GS passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 88.2% vs 82.6%, a 5.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW G 650 GS still comes out ahead: +0.4 points vs comparable bikes for the BMW G 650 GS, -0.8 for the Yamaha FZS600. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW G 650 GS fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.5% of BMW G 650 GS MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.1%).

What does the Yamaha FZS600 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.5% of Yamaha FZS600 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the BMW G 650 GS or the Yamaha FZS600?

At 30k-40k miles the Yamaha FZS600 passes first time more often: 75.4% for the BMW G 650 GS vs 78.7% for the Yamaha FZS600.

BMW G 650 GS 88.2% pass · 2,236 tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests

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