Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere vs Triumph Tiger 800
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 | Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere | Triumph Tiger 800 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 87.4% | 91.6% |
| Outright fail rate | 6.0% | 4.8% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +2.4 pts | +6.5 pts |
| Engine size | 660cc | 800cc |
| Rank among all models | #1787 of 5428 | #546 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 16,356 | 16,027 |
| MOT tests analysed | 5,654 | 6,797 |
| 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
| Component | Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere | Triumph Tiger 800 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 2.6% | 1.1% |
| Brakes | 1.7% | 1.8% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.6% | 1.2% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.0% | 1.1% |
| Structure & body | 0.8% | 0.5% |
| Drive system | 0.4% | 0.2% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.1% | 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
| Test year | Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere | Triumph Tiger 800 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 85.0% | 90.7% |
| 2019 | 86.4% | 90.5% |
| 2020 | 85.6% | 92.6% |
| 2021 | 88.4% | 90.9% |
| 2022 | 83.5% | 92.8% |
| 2023 | 86.6% | 90.2% |
| 2024 | 84.5% | 92.1% |
| 2025 | 84.4% | 89.4% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere | Triumph Tiger 800 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 93.0% | 94.4% |
| 10k-20k miles | 87.9% | 91.9% |
| 20k-30k miles | 84.7% | 90.2% |
| 30k-40k miles | 82.6% | 89.0% |
| 40k-50k miles | 77.9% | 86.5% |
| 50k-60k miles | 85.3% | 86.5% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere vs Triumph Tiger 800 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere or the Triumph Tiger 800?
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: +2.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere, +6.5 for the Triumph Tiger 800. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
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%).
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%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere or the Triumph Tiger 800?
At 50k-60k miles the Triumph Tiger 800 passes first time more often: 85.3% for the Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere vs 86.5% for the Triumph Tiger 800.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.