Yamaha 600 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha 600 car check
Is the Yamaha 600 reliable? We analysed 965 real MOT tests across 103 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha 600? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha 600 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha 600.
Yamaha 600 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha 600. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha 600 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha 600 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha 600 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha 600 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha 600 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha 600 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha 600 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha 600 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 67 | 82.1% | 15,119 | 24,037 | 27,636 |
| 1998 | 83 | 71.1% | 31,095 | 44,383 | 56,977 |
| 1997 | 115 | 75.7% | 13,478 | 23,973 | 47,024 |
| 1996 | 190 | 77.9% | 19,624 | 29,691 | 47,656 |
| 1995 | 86 | 83.7% | 24,665 | 31,543 | 37,875 |
| 1994 | 53 | 79.2% | 25,063 | 29,776 | 33,185 |
| 1990 | 74 | 78.4% | 22,595 | 34,510 | 40,140 |
How Long Does a Yamaha 600 Last?
Based on 103 Yamaha 600 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha 600 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha 600 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 600
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.7% MOT pass rate from 86 tests
71.1% MOT pass rate from 83 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha 600 is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.7% across 86 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha 600 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha 600 THIS CAR | 78.9% | 965 | 29,042 mi | 36 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 |
| Land Rover Discovery Sport Black MHEV A | 85.5% | 746 | 29,604 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha 600 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha 600 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 600Should you buy a used Yamaha 600?
The Yamaha 600 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.9% across 965 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 600 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (16 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (16), and reflector on motorcycle missing (16). 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 600 owner drives around 937 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 600 models stay on UK roads for around 36 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.