Yamaha YZF-R6 vs Honda CBR600F

The Honda CBR600F passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R6: 81.7% vs 79.0%, a 2.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Yamaha YZF-R6	Honda CBR600F
First-time pass rate	79.0%	81.7%
Outright fail rate	12.4%	12.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-5.5 pts	-1.4 pts
Engine size	599cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#3771 of 5428	#3241 of 5428
Median miles at test	17,023	23,079
MOT tests analysed	155,350	202,438
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

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Yamaha YZF-R6	Honda CBR600F
Lights & signalling	6.0%	4.1%
Brakes	4.2%	4.3%
Steering & suspension	3.5%	4.3%
Tyres & wheels	3.1%	3.0%
Fuel & exhaust	1.0%	1.1%
Drive system	0.9%	1.0%
Structure & body	0.9%	0.8%

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 YZF-R6	Honda CBR600F
2018	80.2%	83.2%
2019	79.5%	83.1%
2020	82.1%	84.5%
2021	80.7%	83.6%
2022	81.9%	84.3%
2023	82.7%	83.7%
2024	82.7%	85.0%
2025	83.3%	86.0%

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 YZF-R6	Honda CBR600F
0k-10k miles	84.3%	89.9%
10k-20k miles	79.9%	85.5%
20k-30k miles	76.6%	81.0%
30k-40k miles	74.0%	77.1%
40k-50k miles	71.6%	74.8%
50k-60k miles	70.1%	73.3%

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

Yamaha YZF-R6 vs Honda CBR600F FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha YZF-R6 or the Honda CBR600F?

The Honda CBR600F passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R6: 81.7% vs 79.0%, a 2.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBR600F still comes out ahead: -5.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha YZF-R6, -1.4 for the Honda CBR600F. 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 CBR600F fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.3% of Honda CBR600F MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.3%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Yamaha YZF-R6 or the Honda CBR600F?

At 50k-60k miles the Honda CBR600F passes first time more often: 70.1% for the Yamaha YZF-R6 vs 73.3% for the Honda CBR600F.

YAMAHA YZF-R6 79.0% pass · 155k tests HONDA CBR600F 81.7% pass · 202k tests

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