Honda CBR 1000 RR-D vs Honda CBR900RR

The Honda CBR 1000 RR-D passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR900RR: 89.2% vs 83.2%, a 6.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda CBR 1000 RR-D	Honda CBR900RR
First-time pass rate	89.2%	83.2%
Outright fail rate	4.6%	9.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.0 pts	+0.1 pts
Engine size	1,000cc	918cc
Rank among all models	#1212 of 5428	#2911 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,329	22,163
MOT tests analysed	566	165,881
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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 CBR 1000 RR-D	Honda CBR900RR
Lights & signalling	2.1%	3.9%
Steering & suspension	0.9%	3.6%
Brakes	0.7%	2.9%
Tyres & wheels	1.1%	2.3%
Structure & body	1.1%	0.7%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.6%
Drive system	0.2%	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	Honda CBR 1000 RR-D	Honda CBR900RR
2018	91.7%	84.7%
2019	94.4%	84.8%
2020	93.9%	85.5%
2021	92.9%	86.2%
2022	83.0%	86.6%
2023	87.2%	87.7%
2024	90.9%	87.0%
2025	83.3%	88.8%

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 CBR 1000 RR-D	Honda CBR900RR
0k-10k miles	90.1%	88.6%
10k-20k miles	86.4%	85.5%
20k-30k miles	95.2%	81.9%

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

Honda CBR 1000 RR-D vs Honda CBR900RR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda CBR 1000 RR-D or the Honda CBR900RR?

The Honda CBR 1000 RR-D passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR900RR: 89.2% vs 83.2%, a 6.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBR 1000 RR-D still comes out ahead: +2.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CBR 1000 RR-D, +0.1 for the Honda CBR900RR. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda CBR 1000 RR-D fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.1% of Honda CBR 1000 RR-D MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.1%).

What does the Honda CBR900RR fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.9% of Honda CBR900RR MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.6%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda CBR 1000 RR-D or the Honda CBR900RR?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda CBR 1000 RR-D passes first time more often: 95.2% for the Honda CBR 1000 RR-D vs 81.9% for the Honda CBR900RR.

HONDA CBR 1000 RR-D 89.2% pass · 566 tests HONDA CBR900RR 83.2% pass · 166k tests

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