BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Honda C90/vs Yamaha RXS100
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Honda C90 vs Yamaha RXS100

The Honda C90 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha RXS100: 79.3% vs 68.0%, a 11.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Honda C90 Yamaha RXS100
First-time pass rate 79.3% 68.0%
Outright fail rate 12.6% 21.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +5.6 pts -5.5 pts
Engine size 85cc 98cc
Rank among all models #3721 of 5428 #4853 of 5428
Median miles at test 17,744 22,180
MOT tests analysed 92,772 6,955
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 Honda C90 Yamaha RXS100
Lights & signalling 6.4% 16.3%
Steering & suspension 5.2% 8.9%
Tyres & wheels 4.7% 5.8%
Brakes 3.6% 5.5%
Drive system 1.4% 3.7%
Structure & body 1.6% 2.1%
Fuel & exhaust 0.8% 1.4%

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 Honda C90 Yamaha RXS100
2018 84.4% 78.0%
2019 84.9% 74.0%
2020 84.5% 78.9%
2021 85.8% 82.0%
2022 87.4% 78.7%
2023 87.4% 79.3%
2024 88.3% 79.2%
2025 88.4% 73.7%

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 Honda C90 Yamaha RXS100
0k-10k miles 85.7% 77.8%
10k-20k miles 80.8% 69.4%
20k-30k miles 76.5% 65.5%
30k-40k miles 73.3% 61.8%
40k-50k miles 72.4% 65.4%
50k-60k miles 71.2% 75.0%

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

Honda C90 vs Yamaha RXS100 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda C90 or the Yamaha RXS100?

The Honda C90 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha RXS100: 79.3% vs 68.0%, a 11.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda C90 still comes out ahead: +5.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda C90, -5.5 for the Yamaha RXS100. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda C90 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.4% of Honda C90 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.2%).

What does the Yamaha RXS100 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 16.3% of Yamaha RXS100 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (8.9%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda C90 or the Yamaha RXS100?

At 50k-60k miles the Yamaha RXS100 passes first time more often: 71.2% for the Honda C90 vs 75.0% for the Yamaha RXS100.

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