Honda CBR600F vs Yamaha YZF-R6

The Honda CBR600F passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R6: 81.7% vs 79.0%, a 2.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda CBR600F	Yamaha YZF-R6
First-time pass rate	81.7%	79.0%
Outright fail rate	12.0%	12.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.4 pts	-5.5 pts
Engine size	599cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#3241 of 5428	#3771 of 5428
Median miles at test	23,079	17,023
MOT tests analysed	202,438	155,350
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 CBR600F	Yamaha YZF-R6
Lights & signalling	4.1%	6.0%
Brakes	4.3%	4.2%
Steering & suspension	4.3%	3.5%
Tyres & wheels	3.0%	3.1%
Fuel & exhaust	1.1%	1.0%
Drive system	1.0%	0.9%
Structure & body	0.8%	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 CBR600F	Yamaha YZF-R6
2018	83.2%	80.2%
2019	83.1%	79.5%
2020	84.5%	82.1%
2021	83.6%	80.7%
2022	84.3%	81.9%
2023	83.7%	82.7%
2024	85.0%	82.7%
2025	86.0%	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 CBR600F	Yamaha YZF-R6
0k-10k miles	89.9%	84.3%
10k-20k miles	85.5%	79.9%
20k-30k miles	81.0%	76.6%
30k-40k miles	77.1%	74.0%
40k-50k miles	74.8%	71.6%
50k-60k miles	73.3%	70.1%

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

Honda CBR600F vs Yamaha YZF-R6 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda CBR600F or the Yamaha YZF-R6?

The Honda CBR600F passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R6: 81.7% vs 79.0%, a 2.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBR600F still comes out ahead: -1.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CBR600F, -5.5 for the Yamaha YZF-R6. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda CBR600F fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.3% of Honda CBR600F MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.3%).

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 CBR600F or the Yamaha YZF-R6?

At 50k-60k miles the Honda CBR600F passes first time more often: 73.3% for the Honda CBR600F vs 70.1% for the Yamaha YZF-R6.

HONDA CBR600F 81.7% pass · 202k 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.