Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Triumph Tiger 800 vs Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere
The Triumph Tiger 800 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere: 91.6% vs 87.4%, a 4.2-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Triumph Tiger 800 | Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 91.6% | 87.4% |
| Outright fail rate | 4.8% | 6.0% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +6.5 pts | +2.4 pts |
| Engine size | 800cc | 660cc |
| Rank among all models | #546 of 5428 | #1787 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 16,027 | 16,356 |
| MOT tests analysed | 6,797 | 5,654 |
| Most common failure | brakes | lamps and reflectors |
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
| Component | Triumph Tiger 800 | Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 1.1% | 2.6% |
| Brakes | 1.8% | 1.7% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.2% | 1.6% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.1% | 1.0% |
| Structure & body | 0.5% | 0.8% |
| Drive system | 0.2% | 0.4% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.0% | 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
| Test year | Triumph Tiger 800 | Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 90.7% | 85.0% |
| 2019 | 90.5% | 86.4% |
| 2020 | 92.6% | 85.6% |
| 2021 | 90.9% | 88.4% |
| 2022 | 92.8% | 83.5% |
| 2023 | 90.2% | 86.6% |
| 2024 | 92.1% | 84.5% |
| 2025 | 89.4% | 84.4% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Triumph Tiger 800 | Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 94.4% | 93.0% |
| 10k-20k miles | 91.9% | 87.9% |
| 20k-30k miles | 90.2% | 84.7% |
| 30k-40k miles | 89.0% | 82.6% |
| 40k-50k miles | 86.5% | 77.9% |
| 50k-60k miles | 86.5% | 85.3% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Triumph Tiger 800 vs Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Triumph Tiger 800 or the Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere?
The Triumph Tiger 800 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere: 91.6% vs 87.4%, a 4.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Tiger 800 still comes out ahead: +6.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Tiger 800, +2.4 for the Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Triumph Tiger 800 fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 1.8% of Triumph Tiger 800 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.2%).
What does the Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 2.6% of Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.7%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Triumph Tiger 800 or the Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere?
At 50k-60k miles the Triumph Tiger 800 passes first time more often: 86.5% for the Triumph Tiger 800 vs 85.3% for the Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.