BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Yamaha WR/vs Gilera Runner
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Yamaha WR vs Gilera Runner

The Yamaha WR passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner: 73.7% vs 70.8%, a 2.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Yamaha WR Gilera Runner
First-time pass rate 73.7% 70.8%
Outright fail rate 16.7% 21.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -4.0 pts -0.7 pts
Engine size 124cc 124cc
Rank among all models #4432 of 5428 #4675 of 5428
Median miles at test 8,574 11,381
MOT tests analysed 12,124 69,850
Most common failure lamps and reflectors 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 Yamaha WR Gilera Runner
Lights & signalling 9.9% 12.3%
Steering & suspension 5.8% 10.6%
Brakes 5.9% 7.2%
Tyres & wheels 4.0% 5.1%
Structure & body 4.5% 2.0%
Fuel & exhaust 0.2% 2.6%
Drive system 0.7% 0.0%

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 Yamaha WR Gilera Runner
2018 70.2% 77.2%
2019 71.6% 77.0%
2020 73.8% 75.8%
2021 72.5% 79.1%
2022 73.0% 80.5%
2023 76.8% 81.3%
2024 75.1% 84.0%
2025 77.5% 85.5%

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 Yamaha WR Gilera Runner
0k-10k miles 79.6% 76.2%
10k-20k miles 67.2% 67.5%
20k-30k miles 62.2% 65.4%
30k-40k miles 62.9% 67.2%
40k-50k miles 63.0% 68.1%

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

Yamaha WR vs Gilera Runner FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha WR or the Gilera Runner?

The Yamaha WR passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner: 73.7% vs 70.8%, a 2.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Gilera Runner still comes out ahead: -4.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha WR, -0.7 for the Gilera Runner. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Yamaha WR fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 9.9% of Yamaha WR MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (5.9%).

What does the Gilera Runner fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 12.3% of Gilera Runner MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (10.6%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Yamaha WR or the Gilera Runner?

At 40k-50k miles the Gilera Runner passes first time more often: 63.0% for the Yamaha WR vs 68.1% for the Gilera Runner.

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