Yamaha Yzf R6 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Yzf R6 car check
Is the Yamaha Yzf R6 reliable? We analysed 102,114 real MOT tests across 11,094 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Yzf R6? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Yzf R6 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Yzf R6.
Yamaha Yzf R6 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Yzf R6. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Yzf R6 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Yzf R6 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Yzf R6 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Yzf R6 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Yzf R6 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Yzf R6 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Yzf R6 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Yzf R6 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 181 | 92.8% | 4,352 | 6,254 | 10,818 |
| 2015 | 332 | 91.0% | 4,192 | 6,843 | 13,714 |
| 2014 | 899 | 87.1% | 4,933 | 8,905 | 14,875 |
| 2013 | 921 | 86.6% | 4,557 | 8,458 | 13,804 |
| 2012 | 893 | 84.0% | 4,486 | 7,909 | 13,782 |
| 2011 | 1,136 | 86.8% | 5,394 | 9,506 | 14,946 |
| 2010 | 2,615 | 85.4% | 5,505 | 9,480 | 14,768 |
| 2009 | 3,523 | 85.4% | 5,744 | 10,459 | 16,859 |
| 2008 | 5,816 | 84.7% | 6,245 | 10,689 | 16,881 |
| 2007 | 9,104 | 83.9% | 6,681 | 11,052 | 17,489 |
| 2006 | 10,754 | 84.0% | 6,794 | 11,784 | 18,434 |
| 2005 | 9,340 | 85.2% | 8,410 | 14,006 | 21,484 |
| 2004 | 5,192 | 84.1% | 8,474 | 14,392 | 22,067 |
| 2003 | 8,473 | 83.2% | 8,763 | 14,260 | 22,036 |
| 2002 | 7,736 | 81.6% | 9,698 | 15,131 | 21,727 |
| 2001 | 7,833 | 81.9% | 11,309 | 17,636 | 24,600 |
| 2000 | 14,597 | 80.5% | 12,916 | 18,874 | 25,682 |
| 1999 | 12,159 | 80.0% | 14,386 | 20,144 | 27,344 |
| 1998 | 143 | 76.9% | 18,004 | 27,875 | 31,694 |
| 1997 | 61 | 80.3% | 23,657 | 27,884 | 32,788 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Yzf R6 Last?
Based on 11,094 Yamaha Yzf R6 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Yzf R6 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Yzf R6 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Yzf R6
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.8% MOT pass rate from 181 tests
76.9% MOT pass rate from 143 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Yzf R6 is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.8% across 181 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Yzf R6 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Yzf R6 THIS CAR | 83.0% | 102,114 | 14,690 mi | 27 yrs |
| Yamaha Yzf R1 | 86.5% | 175,313 | 16,232 mi | 28 yrs |
| Yamaha FZS600 | 85% | 157,659 | 22,466 mi | 28 yrs |
| Yamaha XJR1300 | 88.8% | 107,128 | 16,836 mi | 27 yrs |
| Suzuki SV1000 | 84.3% | 38,128 | 17,136 mi | 23 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Yzf R6 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Yzf R6 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Yamaha Yzf R6Should you buy a used Yamaha Yzf R6?
The Yamaha Yzf R6 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.0% across 102,114 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Yamaha Yzf R6 are reflector on motorcycle missing (1,767 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (1,655), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (923). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Yamaha Yzf R6 owner drives around 802 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Yamaha Yzf R6 models stay on UK roads for around 27 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.