BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Suzuki Gsxr/vs Yamaha YZF-R6
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Suzuki Gsxr vs Yamaha YZF-R6

The Suzuki Gsxr passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R6: 84.5% vs 79.0%, a 5.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Suzuki Gsxr Yamaha YZF-R6
First-time pass rate 84.5% 79.0%
Outright fail rate 8.7% 12.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -1.0 pts -5.5 pts
Engine size 750cc 599cc
Rank among all models #2613 of 5428 #3771 of 5428
Median miles at test 13,050 17,023
MOT tests analysed 26,323 155,350
Most common failure lighting and signalling 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 Suzuki Gsxr Yamaha YZF-R6
Lights & signalling 4.7% 6.0%
Brakes 2.9% 4.2%
Steering & suspension 2.5% 3.5%
Tyres & wheels 2.0% 3.1%
Structure & body 0.9% 0.9%
Fuel & exhaust 0.5% 1.0%
Drive system 0.5% 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 Suzuki Gsxr Yamaha YZF-R6
2018 88.4% 80.2%
2019 88.8% 79.5%
2020 90.4% 82.1%
2021 88.0% 80.7%
2022 89.1% 81.9%
2023 88.0% 82.7%
2024 89.2% 82.7%
2025 89.5% 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 Suzuki Gsxr Yamaha YZF-R6
0k-10k miles 90.5% 84.3%
10k-20k miles 85.3% 79.9%
20k-30k miles 79.3% 76.6%
30k-40k miles 74.6% 74.0%
40k-50k miles 72.4% 71.6%
50k-60k miles 71.9% 70.1%

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

Suzuki Gsxr vs Yamaha YZF-R6 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki Gsxr or the Yamaha YZF-R6?

The Suzuki Gsxr passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R6: 84.5% vs 79.0%, a 5.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki Gsxr still comes out ahead: -1.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki Gsxr, -5.5 for the Yamaha YZF-R6. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki Gsxr fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.7% of Suzuki Gsxr MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.9%).

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 Suzuki Gsxr or the Yamaha YZF-R6?

At 50k-60k miles the Suzuki Gsxr passes first time more often: 71.9% for the Suzuki Gsxr vs 70.1% for the Yamaha YZF-R6.

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