BMW R65 vs Yamaha FZS600

The BMW R65 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 85.2% vs 82.6%, a 2.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	BMW R65	Yamaha FZS600
First-time pass rate	85.2%	82.6%
Outright fail rate	8.2%	10.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.4 pts	-0.8 pts
Engine size	650cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#2445 of 5428	#3052 of 5428
Median miles at test	38,833	21,612
MOT tests analysed	8,221	136,558
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 R65	Yamaha FZS600
Lights & signalling	4.0%	3.4%
Brakes	2.6%	4.5%
Steering & suspension	2.4%	2.7%
Tyres & wheels	1.5%	2.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0.8%	1.1%
Structure & body	0.5%	1.1%
Drive system	0.0%	0.9%

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 R65	Yamaha FZS600
2018	87.2%	81.3%
2019	87.0%	83.0%
2020	87.9%	83.6%
2021	86.6%	82.8%
2022	86.4%	83.6%
2023	87.1%	84.2%
2024	91.1%	83.3%
2025	89.2%	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 R65	Yamaha FZS600
0k-10k miles	84.5%	89.6%
10k-20k miles	88.9%	85.5%
20k-30k miles	86.1%	81.4%
30k-40k miles	87.3%	78.7%
40k-50k miles	87.3%	76.8%
50k-60k miles	83.9%	74.7%

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

BMW R65 vs Yamaha FZS600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW R65 or the Yamaha FZS600?

The BMW R65 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 85.2% vs 82.6%, a 2.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R65 still comes out ahead: +2.4 points vs comparable bikes for the BMW R65, -0.8 for the Yamaha FZS600. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW R65 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.0% of BMW R65 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.6%).

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 R65 or the Yamaha FZS600?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW R65 passes first time more often: 83.9% for the BMW R65 vs 74.7% for the Yamaha FZS600.

BMW R65 85.2% pass · 8,221 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.