BMW R45 vs Yamaha FZ6

The BMW R45 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZ6: 85.4% vs 85.2%, a 0.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	BMW R45	Yamaha FZ6
First-time pass rate	85.4%	85.2%
Outright fail rate	8.1%	7.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.2 pts	+0.3 pts
Engine size	473cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#2385 of 5428	#2445 of 5428
Median miles at test	36,545	15,484
MOT tests analysed	2,033	67,149
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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 R45	Yamaha FZ6
Lights & signalling	3.5%	3.1%
Steering & suspension	2.7%	2.4%
Brakes	2.9%	2.1%
Tyres & wheels	1.3%	2.3%
Structure & body	0.3%	0.6%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	0.1%
Drive system	0%	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	BMW R45	Yamaha FZ6
2015	83.1%	85.8%
2016	87.5%	85.4%
2017	88.1%	85.8%
2018	83.8%	84.5%
2019	90.4%	83.4%
2020	88.7%	82.8%
2021	89.1%	82.9%
2022	90.3%	84.0%

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 R45	Yamaha FZ6
0k-10k miles	87.7%	91.1%
10k-20k miles	85.4%	86.1%
20k-30k miles	84.3%	81.5%
30k-40k miles	84.4%	78.7%
40k-50k miles	85.0%	77.9%
50k-60k miles	85.5%	77.0%

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

BMW R45 vs Yamaha FZ6 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW R45 or the Yamaha FZ6?

The BMW R45 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZ6: 85.4% vs 85.2%, a 0.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R45 still comes out ahead: +2.2 points vs comparable bikes for the BMW R45, +0.3 for the Yamaha FZ6. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW R45 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.5% of BMW R45 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.9%).

What does the Yamaha FZ6 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.1% of Yamaha FZ6 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the BMW R45 or the Yamaha FZ6?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW R45 passes first time more often: 85.5% for the BMW R45 vs 77.0% for the Yamaha FZ6.

BMW R45 85.4% pass · 2,033 tests YAMAHA FZ6 85.2% pass · 67.1k tests

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