Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Yamaha YZF-R6 vs Honda CBR
The Honda CBR passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R6: 83.7% vs 79.0%, a 4.7-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Yamaha YZF-R6 | Honda CBR |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 79.0% | 83.7% |
| Outright fail rate | 12.4% | 9.9% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -5.5 pts | +0.9 pts |
| Engine size | 599cc | 599cc |
| Rank among all models | #3771 of 5428 | #2819 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 17,023 | 12,042 |
| MOT tests analysed | 155,350 | 77,083 |
| 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-R6 | Honda CBR |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 6.0% | 3.8% |
| Brakes | 4.2% | 3.5% |
| Steering & suspension | 3.5% | 3.7% |
| Tyres & wheels | 3.1% | 2.2% |
| Structure & body | 0.9% | 2.0% |
| Drive system | 0.9% | 0.4% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 1.0% | 0.3% |
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-R6 | Honda CBR |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 80.2% | 83.2% |
| 2019 | 79.5% | 84.2% |
| 2020 | 82.1% | 86.0% |
| 2021 | 80.7% | 84.7% |
| 2022 | 81.9% | 85.1% |
| 2023 | 82.7% | 85.0% |
| 2024 | 82.7% | 84.5% |
| 2025 | 83.3% | 84.5% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Yamaha YZF-R6 | Honda CBR |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 84.3% | 89.8% |
| 10k-20k miles | 79.9% | 81.1% |
| 20k-30k miles | 76.6% | 77.4% |
| 30k-40k miles | 74.0% | 77.2% |
| 40k-50k miles | 71.6% | 75.1% |
| 50k-60k miles | 70.1% | 74.8% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Yamaha YZF-R6 vs Honda CBR FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Yamaha YZF-R6 or the Honda CBR?
The Honda CBR passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R6: 83.7% vs 79.0%, a 4.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBR still comes out ahead: -5.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha YZF-R6, +0.9 for the Honda CBR. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Yamaha YZF-R6 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 6.0% of Yamaha YZF-R6 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.2%).
What does the Honda CBR fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 3.8% of Honda CBR MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.7%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Yamaha YZF-R6 or the Honda CBR?
At 50k-60k miles the Honda CBR passes first time more often: 70.1% for the Yamaha YZF-R6 vs 74.8% for the Honda CBR.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.