BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Triumph Speed Four/vs Yamaha FZS600
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Triumph Speed Four vs Yamaha FZS600

The Yamaha FZS600 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Speed Four: 82.6% vs 81.4%, a 1.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Triumph Speed Four Yamaha FZS600
First-time pass rate 81.4% 82.6%
Outright fail rate 11.3% 10.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -4.0 pts -0.8 pts
Engine size 599cc 599cc
Rank among all models #3291 of 5428 #3052 of 5428
Median miles at test 14,114 21,612
MOT tests analysed 8,421 136,558
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 Triumph Speed Four Yamaha FZS600
Brakes 3.8% 4.5%
Lights & signalling 4.9% 3.4%
Steering & suspension 3.6% 2.7%
Tyres & wheels 2.2% 2.9%
Structure & body 1.2% 1.1%
Drive system 1.0% 0.9%
Fuel & exhaust 0.3% 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 Triumph Speed Four Yamaha FZS600
2018 81.7% 81.3%
2019 78.5% 83.0%
2020 79.4% 83.6%
2021 81.0% 82.8%
2022 81.6% 83.6%
2023 78.0% 84.2%
2024 80.8% 83.3%
2025 85.6% 84.0%

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 Triumph Speed Four Yamaha FZS600
0k-10k miles 87.3% 89.6%
10k-20k miles 81.0% 85.5%
20k-30k miles 76.3% 81.4%
30k-40k miles 75.9% 78.7%
40k-50k miles 65.5% 76.8%
50k-60k miles 80.0% 74.7%

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

Triumph Speed Four vs Yamaha FZS600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Triumph Speed Four or the Yamaha FZS600?

The Yamaha FZS600 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Speed Four: 82.6% vs 81.4%, a 1.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha FZS600 still comes out ahead: -4.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Speed Four, -0.8 for the Yamaha FZS600. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Triumph Speed Four fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.9% of Triumph Speed Four MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.8%).

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 Triumph Speed Four or the Yamaha FZS600?

At 50k-60k miles the Triumph Speed Four passes first time more often: 80.0% for the Triumph Speed Four vs 74.7% for the Yamaha FZS600.

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