BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Yamaha XSR/vs Aprilia Tuono
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Yamaha XSR vs Aprilia Tuono

The Yamaha XSR passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia Tuono: 89.5% vs 88.4%, a 1.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Yamaha XSR Aprilia Tuono
First-time pass rate 89.5% 88.4%
Outright fail rate 4.8% 5.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +1.1 pts +2.3 pts
Engine size 847cc 998cc
Rank among all models #1113 of 5428 #1478 of 5428
Median miles at test 6,898 11,489
MOT tests analysed 12,653 34,724
Most common failure lamps and reflectors 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 Yamaha XSR Aprilia Tuono
Lights & signalling 2.6% 2.5%
Tyres & wheels 1.4% 1.1%
Brakes 0.5% 1.5%
Structure & body 1.2% 0.6%
Steering & suspension 0.5% 1.2%
Drive system 0% 0.3%
Fuel & exhaust 0% 0.2%

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 XSR Aprilia Tuono
2019 88.2% 89.4%
2020 92.4% 90.5%
2021 89.6% 90.2%
2022 88.1% 89.9%
2023 88.7% 90.4%
2024 89.4% 91.3%
2025 90.2% 90.3%

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 Yamaha XSR Aprilia Tuono
0k-10k miles 90.6% 90.7%
10k-20k miles 87.8% 87.2%
20k-30k miles 83.2% 86.2%
30k-40k miles 76.4% 84.6%
40k-50k miles 81.0% 82.1%

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

Yamaha XSR vs Aprilia Tuono FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha XSR or the Aprilia Tuono?

The Yamaha XSR passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia Tuono: 89.5% vs 88.4%, a 1.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Aprilia Tuono still comes out ahead: +1.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha XSR, +2.3 for the Aprilia Tuono. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Yamaha XSR fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.6% of Yamaha XSR MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.4%).

What does the Aprilia Tuono fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.5% of Aprilia Tuono MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Yamaha XSR or the Aprilia Tuono?

At 40k-50k miles the Aprilia Tuono passes first time more often: 81.0% for the Yamaha XSR vs 82.1% for the Aprilia Tuono.

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