Moto Guzzi V50 Ii vs Yamaha FZ6

The Yamaha FZ6 passes its MOT first time more often than the Moto Guzzi V50 Ii: 85.2% vs 83.6%, 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 V50 Ii	Yamaha FZ6
First-time pass rate	83.6%	85.2%
Outright fail rate	9.6%	7.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.4 pts	+0.3 pts
Engine size	490cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#2835 of 5428	#2445 of 5428
Median miles at test	29,956	15,484
MOT tests analysed	1,394	67,149
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 V50 Ii	Yamaha FZ6
Lights & signalling	4.2%	3.1%
Brakes	3.9%	2.1%
Steering & suspension	3.4%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	1.6%	2.3%
Structure & body	0.4%	0.6%
Drive system	0.1%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0.4%	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	Moto Guzzi V50 Ii	Yamaha FZ6
2013	87.6%	86.0%
2014	86.5%	84.3%
2015	76.7%	85.8%
2016	88.8%	85.4%
2017	84.9%	85.8%
2018	90.0%	84.5%
2019	81.0%	83.4%
2020	91.7%	82.8%

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	Moto Guzzi V50 Ii	Yamaha FZ6
0k-10k miles	81.2%	91.1%
10k-20k miles	83.6%	86.1%
20k-30k miles	84.9%	81.5%
30k-40k miles	83.9%	78.7%
40k-50k miles	81.2%	77.9%
50k-60k miles	85.4%	77.0%

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

Moto Guzzi V50 Ii vs Yamaha FZ6 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Moto Guzzi V50 Ii or the Yamaha FZ6?

The Yamaha FZ6 passes its MOT first time more often than the Moto Guzzi V50 Ii: 85.2% vs 83.6%, a 1.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+0.4 vs +0.3 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Moto Guzzi V50 Ii fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.2% of Moto Guzzi V50 Ii MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.9%).

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 Moto Guzzi V50 Ii or the Yamaha FZ6?

At 50k-60k miles the Moto Guzzi V50 Ii passes first time more often: 85.4% for the Moto Guzzi V50 Ii vs 77.0% for the Yamaha FZ6.

MOTO GUZZI V50 II 83.6% pass · 1,394 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.