MZ Skorpion vs Yamaha FZS600

The Yamaha FZS600 passes its MOT first time more often than the MZ Skorpion: 82.6% vs 82.0%, a 0.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MZ Skorpion	Yamaha FZS600
First-time pass rate	82.0%	82.6%
Outright fail rate	11.1%	10.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.1 pts	-0.8 pts
Engine size	659cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#3181 of 5428	#3052 of 5428
Median miles at test	23,529	21,612
MOT tests analysed	1,626	136,558
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	MZ Skorpion	Yamaha FZS600
Brakes	4.5%	4.5%
Lights & signalling	5.3%	3.4%
Steering & suspension	4.6%	2.7%
Tyres & wheels	1.5%	2.9%
Drive system	0.7%	0.9%
Structure & body	0.3%	1.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	1.1%

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	MZ Skorpion	Yamaha FZS600
2016	78.6%	82.2%
2017	78.9%	82.0%
2018	82.9%	81.3%
2019	83.7%	83.0%
2020	97.1%	83.6%
2021	93.5%	82.8%
2022	91.3%	83.6%
2023	82.9%	84.2%

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	MZ Skorpion	Yamaha FZS600
0k-10k miles	84.0%	89.6%
10k-20k miles	84.0%	85.5%
20k-30k miles	78.7%	81.4%
30k-40k miles	80.9%	78.7%
40k-50k miles	83.5%	76.8%
50k-60k miles	78.0%	74.7%

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

MZ Skorpion vs Yamaha FZS600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the MZ Skorpion or the Yamaha FZS600?

The Yamaha FZS600 passes its MOT first time more often than the MZ Skorpion: 82.6% vs 82.0%, a 0.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-1.1 vs -0.8 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 MZ Skorpion fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.3% of MZ Skorpion MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.6%).

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 MZ Skorpion or the Yamaha FZS600?

At 50k-60k miles the MZ Skorpion passes first time more often: 78.0% for the MZ Skorpion vs 74.7% for the Yamaha FZS600.

MZ SKORPION 82.0% pass · 1,626 tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests

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