Honda CBR 600 RR-C vs Yamaha YZF-R6

The Honda CBR 600 RR-C passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R6: 89.3% vs 79.0%, a 10.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda CBR 600 RR-C	Yamaha YZF-R6
First-time pass rate	89.3%	79.0%
Outright fail rate	5.2%	12.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.9 pts	-5.5 pts
Engine size	599cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#1180 of 5428	#3771 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,931	17,023
MOT tests analysed	559	155,350
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 CBR 600 RR-C	Yamaha YZF-R6
Lights & signalling	2.7%	6.0%
Brakes	1.6%	4.2%
Tyres & wheels	1.8%	3.1%
Steering & suspension	0.5%	3.5%
Structure & body	0.4%	0.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	1.0%
Drive system	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	Honda CBR 600 RR-C	Yamaha YZF-R6
2017	86.6%	79.4%
2018	90.6%	80.2%
2019	93.6%	79.5%
2020	89.7%	82.1%
2021	90.7%	80.7%
2022	86.7%	81.9%
2023	87.5%	82.7%
2025	90.9%	83.3%

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 600 RR-C	Yamaha YZF-R6
0k-10k miles	91.6%	84.3%
10k-20k miles	88.1%	79.9%
20k-30k miles	81.5%	76.6%

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

Honda CBR 600 RR-C vs Yamaha YZF-R6 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda CBR 600 RR-C or the Yamaha YZF-R6?

The Honda CBR 600 RR-C passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R6: 89.3% vs 79.0%, a 10.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBR 600 RR-C still comes out ahead: +1.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CBR 600 RR-C, -5.5 for the Yamaha YZF-R6. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda CBR 600 RR-C fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.7% of Honda CBR 600 RR-C MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.8%).

What does the Yamaha YZF-R6 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.0% of Yamaha YZF-R6 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.2%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda CBR 600 RR-C or the Yamaha YZF-R6?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda CBR 600 RR-C passes first time more often: 81.5% for the Honda CBR 600 RR-C vs 76.6% for the Yamaha YZF-R6.

HONDA CBR 600 RR-C 89.3% pass · 559 tests YAMAHA YZF-R6 79.0% pass · 155k tests

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