Honda CBR 1100 X-3 vs Yamaha YZF-R1

The Honda CBR 1100 X-3 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R1: 90.3% vs 84.1%, a 6.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda CBR 1100 X-3	Yamaha YZF-R1
First-time pass rate	90.3%	84.1%
Outright fail rate	6.1%	7.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.8 pts	-0.5 pts
Engine size	1,137cc	998cc
Rank among all models	#854 of 5428	#2721 of 5428
Median miles at test	21,368	16,705
MOT tests analysed	1,813	231,553
Most common failure	brakes	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 1100 X-3	Yamaha YZF-R1
Lights & signalling	2.2%	4.3%
Tyres & wheels	2.2%	1.9%
Brakes	2.2%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	1.2%	1.4%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.6%
Drive system	0.1%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	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	Honda CBR 1100 X-3	Yamaha YZF-R1
2018	91.7%	85.1%
2019	84.3%	85.6%
2020	91.9%	86.7%
2021	93.6%	85.8%
2022	95.1%	86.4%
2023	84.0%	87.2%
2024	86.8%	88.2%
2025	82.1%	87.9%

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 1100 X-3	Yamaha YZF-R1
0k-10k miles	91.8%	87.8%
10k-20k miles	92.8%	84.7%
20k-30k miles	90.5%	82.4%
30k-40k miles	90.7%	80.2%
40k-50k miles	93.8%	78.8%
50k-60k miles	71.2%	78.1%

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

Honda CBR 1100 X-3 vs Yamaha YZF-R1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda CBR 1100 X-3 or the Yamaha YZF-R1?

The Honda CBR 1100 X-3 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R1: 90.3% vs 84.1%, a 6.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBR 1100 X-3 still comes out ahead: +6.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CBR 1100 X-3, -0.5 for the Yamaha YZF-R1. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda CBR 1100 X-3 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.2% of Honda CBR 1100 X-3 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (2.2%).

What does the Yamaha YZF-R1 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.3% of Yamaha YZF-R1 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.9%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda CBR 1100 X-3 or the Yamaha YZF-R1?

At 50k-60k miles the Yamaha YZF-R1 passes first time more often: 71.2% for the Honda CBR 1100 X-3 vs 78.1% for the Yamaha YZF-R1.

HONDA CBR 1100 X-3 90.3% pass · 1,813 tests YAMAHA YZF-R1 84.1% pass · 232k tests

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