Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Yamaha YZF-R1 vs Triumph Daytona
The Yamaha YZF-R1 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Daytona: 84.1% vs 83.6%, a 0.5-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Yamaha YZF-R1 | Triumph Daytona |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 84.1% | 83.6% |
| Outright fail rate | 7.8% | 9.4% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -0.5 pts | -1.2 pts |
| Engine size | 998cc | 955cc |
| Rank among all models | #2721 of 5428 | #2835 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 16,705 | 15,798 |
| MOT tests analysed | 231,553 | 113,145 |
| 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.
"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 | Triumph Daytona |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 4.3% | 4.1% |
| Brakes | 1.7% | 3.1% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.4% | 2.7% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.9% | 2.0% |
| Structure & body | 0.6% | 0.7% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Drive system | 0.4% | 0.5% |
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 | Triumph Daytona |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 85.1% | 84.2% |
| 2019 | 85.6% | 85.1% |
| 2020 | 86.7% | 85.6% |
| 2021 | 85.8% | 84.6% |
| 2022 | 86.4% | 85.9% |
| 2023 | 87.2% | 84.9% |
| 2024 | 88.2% | 84.7% |
| 2025 | 87.9% | 85.9% |
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 | Triumph Daytona |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 87.8% | 88.3% |
| 10k-20k miles | 84.7% | 83.8% |
| 20k-30k miles | 82.4% | 80.9% |
| 30k-40k miles | 80.2% | 79.4% |
| 40k-50k miles | 78.8% | 78.6% |
| 50k-60k miles | 78.1% | 77.7% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Yamaha YZF-R1 vs Triumph Daytona FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Yamaha YZF-R1 or the Triumph Daytona?
The Yamaha YZF-R1 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Daytona: 84.1% vs 83.6%, a 0.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-0.5 vs -1.2 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. 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 Triumph Daytona fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 4.1% of Triumph Daytona MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.1%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Yamaha YZF-R1 or the Triumph Daytona?
They are level: at 50k-60k miles the Yamaha YZF-R1 passes 78.1% first time and the Triumph Daytona 77.7%.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.