Yamaha XJ550 vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Kawasaki ZX-6R passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XJ550: 78.1% vs 76.1%, a 2.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Yamaha XJ550	Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate	76.1%	78.1%
Outright fail rate	14.1%	14.0%
Median miles at test	33,323	19,446
MOT tests analysed	1,569	173,956
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.

YAMAHA XJ550 76.1% pass · 1,569 tests KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests

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