Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Yamaha YZF-R1 vs Honda CBR1100XX
The Honda CBR1100XX passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R1: 87.1% vs 84.1%, a 3.0-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Yamaha YZF-R1 | Honda CBR1100XX |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 84.1% | 87.1% |
| Outright fail rate | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -0.5 pts | +4.8 pts |
| Engine size | 998cc | 1,137cc |
| Rank among all models | #2721 of 5428 | #1884 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 16,705 | 27,599 |
| MOT tests analysed | 231,553 | 105,141 |
| Most common failure | lighting and signalling | 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 YZF-R1 | Honda CBR1100XX |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 4.3% | 2.4% |
| Brakes | 1.7% | 3.1% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.9% | 2.3% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.4% | 2.4% |
| Structure & body | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Drive system | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.5% | 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
| Test year | Yamaha YZF-R1 | Honda CBR1100XX |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 85.1% | 86.7% |
| 2019 | 85.6% | 87.0% |
| 2020 | 86.7% | 85.9% |
| 2021 | 85.8% | 87.6% |
| 2022 | 86.4% | 87.5% |
| 2023 | 87.2% | 87.4% |
| 2024 | 88.2% | 87.1% |
| 2025 | 87.9% | 88.1% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Yamaha YZF-R1 | Honda CBR1100XX |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 87.8% | 92.9% |
| 10k-20k miles | 84.7% | 90.2% |
| 20k-30k miles | 82.4% | 87.9% |
| 30k-40k miles | 80.2% | 85.9% |
| 40k-50k miles | 78.8% | 84.0% |
| 50k-60k miles | 78.1% | 81.9% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Yamaha YZF-R1 vs Honda CBR1100XX FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Yamaha YZF-R1 or the Honda CBR1100XX?
The Honda CBR1100XX passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R1: 87.1% vs 84.1%, a 3.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBR1100XX still comes out ahead: -0.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha YZF-R1, +4.8 for the Honda CBR1100XX. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Yamaha YZF-R1 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 4.3% of Yamaha YZF-R1 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.9%).
What does the Honda CBR1100XX fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 3.1% of Honda CBR1100XX MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.4%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Yamaha YZF-R1 or the Honda CBR1100XX?
At 50k-60k miles the Honda CBR1100XX passes first time more often: 78.1% for the Yamaha YZF-R1 vs 81.9% for the Honda CBR1100XX.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.