Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Honda CBR1000RR vs Yamaha YZF-R1
The Honda CBR1000RR passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R1: 86.7% vs 84.1%, a 2.6-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Honda CBR1000RR | Yamaha YZF-R1 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 86.7% | 84.1% |
| Outright fail rate | 6.7% | 7.8% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +1.0 pts | -0.5 pts |
| Engine size | 998cc | 998cc |
| Rank among all models | #1985 of 5428 | #2721 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 13,015 | 16,705 |
| MOT tests analysed | 63,274 | 231,553 |
| 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 CBR1000RR | Yamaha YZF-R1 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 3.0% | 4.3% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.8% | 1.9% |
| Brakes | 1.4% | 1.7% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.5% | 1.4% |
| Structure & body | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.3% | 0.5% |
| Drive system | 0.2% | 0.4% |
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
| Test year | Honda CBR1000RR | Yamaha YZF-R1 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 86.7% | 85.1% |
| 2019 | 86.2% | 85.6% |
| 2020 | 86.1% | 86.7% |
| 2021 | 86.3% | 85.8% |
| 2022 | 85.8% | 86.4% |
| 2023 | 84.9% | 87.2% |
| 2024 | 87.3% | 88.2% |
| 2025 | 86.1% | 87.9% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Honda CBR1000RR | Yamaha YZF-R1 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 90.0% | 87.8% |
| 10k-20k miles | 86.5% | 84.7% |
| 20k-30k miles | 83.3% | 82.4% |
| 30k-40k miles | 80.9% | 80.2% |
| 40k-50k miles | 80.0% | 78.8% |
| 50k-60k miles | 79.9% | 78.1% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Honda CBR1000RR vs Yamaha YZF-R1 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Honda CBR1000RR or the Yamaha YZF-R1?
The Honda CBR1000RR passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R1: 86.7% vs 84.1%, a 2.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBR1000RR still comes out ahead: +1.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CBR1000RR, -0.5 for the Yamaha YZF-R1. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Honda CBR1000RR fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 3.0% of Honda CBR1000RR MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.8%).
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 CBR1000RR or the Yamaha YZF-R1?
At 50k-60k miles the Honda CBR1000RR passes first time more often: 79.9% for the Honda CBR1000RR vs 78.1% for the Yamaha YZF-R1.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.