Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Honda C90 vs Yamaha YQ100
The Honda C90 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YQ100: 79.3% vs 64.7%, a 14.6-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Honda C90 | Yamaha YQ100 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 79.3% | 64.7% |
| Outright fail rate | 12.6% | 27.2% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +5.6 pts | -7.2 pts |
| Engine size | 85cc | 98cc |
| Rank among all models | #3721 of 5428 | #5031 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 17,744 | 9,888 |
| MOT tests analysed | 92,772 | 7,747 |
| 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
| Component | Honda C90 | Yamaha YQ100 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 6.4% | 18.9% |
| Steering & suspension | 5.2% | 10.0% |
| Brakes | 3.6% | 11.5% |
| Tyres & wheels | 4.7% | 4.8% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.8% | 4.3% |
| Structure & body | 1.6% | 1.7% |
| Drive system | 1.4% | 0.0% |
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
| Test year | Honda C90 | Yamaha YQ100 |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 82.8% | 63.1% |
| 2018 | 84.4% | 71.6% |
| 2019 | 84.9% | 64.6% |
| 2020 | 84.5% | 81.8% |
| 2021 | 85.8% | 62.3% |
| 2022 | 87.4% | 63.0% |
| 2023 | 87.4% | 65.9% |
| 2025 | 88.4% | 81.6% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Honda C90 | Yamaha YQ100 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 85.7% | 70.7% |
| 10k-20k miles | 80.8% | 59.0% |
| 20k-30k miles | 76.5% | 58.9% |
| 30k-40k miles | 73.3% | 53.8% |
| 40k-50k miles | 72.4% | 71.4% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Honda C90 vs Yamaha YQ100 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Honda C90 or the Yamaha YQ100?
The Honda C90 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YQ100: 79.3% vs 64.7%, a 14.6-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, -7.2 for the Yamaha YQ100. 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 YQ100 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 18.9% of Yamaha YQ100 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (11.5%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda C90 or the Yamaha YQ100?
At 40k-50k miles the Honda C90 passes first time more often: 72.4% for the Honda C90 vs 71.4% for the Yamaha YQ100.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.