Matchless G80 vs Yamaha FZ6

The Matchless G80 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZ6: 92.0% vs 85.2%, a 6.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Matchless G80	Yamaha FZ6
First-time pass rate	92.0%	85.2%
Outright fail rate	2.6%	7.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+4.7 pts	+0.3 pts
Engine size	494cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#470 of 5428	#2445 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,987	15,484
MOT tests analysed	2,093	67,149
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	brakes

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	Matchless G80	Yamaha FZ6
Lights & signalling	1.1%	3.1%
Steering & suspension	1.1%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	0.5%	2.3%
Brakes	0.6%	2.1%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.6%
Drive system	0.1%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	0.1%

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	Matchless G80	Yamaha FZ6
2010	92.9%	85.7%
2011	90.8%	86.4%
2012	92.7%	86.0%
2013	89.5%	86.0%
2014	91.1%	84.3%
2015	88.2%	85.8%
2016	93.1%	85.4%
2017	93.5%	85.8%

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	Matchless G80	Yamaha FZ6
0k-10k miles	91.6%	91.1%
10k-20k miles	92.6%	86.1%
20k-30k miles	90.7%	81.5%
30k-40k miles	96.4%	78.7%
40k-50k miles	92.5%	77.9%
50k-60k miles	94.4%	77.0%

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

Matchless G80 vs Yamaha FZ6 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Matchless G80 or the Yamaha FZ6?

The Matchless G80 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZ6: 92.0% vs 85.2%, a 6.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Matchless G80 still comes out ahead: +4.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Matchless G80, +0.3 for the Yamaha FZ6. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Matchless G80 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.1% of Matchless G80 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.1%).

What does the Yamaha FZ6 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.1% of Yamaha FZ6 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Matchless G80 or the Yamaha FZ6?

At 50k-60k miles the Matchless G80 passes first time more often: 94.4% for the Matchless G80 vs 77.0% for the Yamaha FZ6.

MATCHLESS G80 92.0% pass · 2,093 tests YAMAHA FZ6 85.2% pass · 67.1k tests

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