BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Moto Guzzi 850 T3/vs Yamaha FZS600
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Moto Guzzi 850 T3 vs Yamaha FZS600

The Moto Guzzi 850 T3 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 84.2% vs 82.6%, a 1.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Moto Guzzi 850 T3 Yamaha FZS600
First-time pass rate 84.2% 82.6%
Outright fail rate 9.4% 10.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +0.5 pts -0.8 pts
Engine size 844cc 599cc
Rank among all models #2690 of 5428 #3052 of 5428
Median miles at test 37,804 21,612
MOT tests analysed 1,156 136,558
Most common failure brakes 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 Moto Guzzi 850 T3 Yamaha FZS600
Brakes 4.1% 4.5%
Lights & signalling 4.2% 3.4%
Steering & suspension 2.4% 2.7%
Tyres & wheels 2.0% 2.9%
Fuel & exhaust 0.9% 1.1%
Structure & body 0.6% 1.1%
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 Moto Guzzi 850 T3 Yamaha FZS600
2012 86.7% 80.2%
2013 75.3% 81.3%
2014 81.1% 81.2%
2015 80.5% 81.1%
2016 83.5% 82.2%
2017 76.7% 82.0%
2018 86.7% 81.3%
2019 83.8% 83.0%

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 Moto Guzzi 850 T3 Yamaha FZS600
0k-10k miles 92.4% 89.6%
10k-20k miles 87.3% 85.5%
20k-30k miles 85.9% 81.4%
30k-40k miles 78.8% 78.7%
40k-50k miles 83.4% 76.8%
50k-60k miles 82.1% 74.7%

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

Moto Guzzi 850 T3 vs Yamaha FZS600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Moto Guzzi 850 T3 or the Yamaha FZS600?

The Moto Guzzi 850 T3 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 84.2% vs 82.6%, a 1.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Moto Guzzi 850 T3 still comes out ahead: +0.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Moto Guzzi 850 T3, -0.8 for the Yamaha FZS600. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Moto Guzzi 850 T3 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.2% of Moto Guzzi 850 T3 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.1%).

What does the Yamaha FZS600 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.5% of Yamaha FZS600 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Moto Guzzi 850 T3 or the Yamaha FZS600?

At 50k-60k miles the Moto Guzzi 850 T3 passes first time more often: 82.1% for the Moto Guzzi 850 T3 vs 74.7% for the Yamaha FZS600.

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