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Yamaha Bws Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Yamaha Bws reliable? We analysed 1,850 real MOT tests across 328 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,850 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
80.8%
Typical Mileage
9,118mi
Annual Mileage
1,120mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
36yrs

The Yamaha Bws is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Bws.

Yamaha Bws Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha Bws. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha Bws MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha Bws to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

82.3%
2015
83.3%
2014
80.2%
2013
81.3%
2012
81.4%
2011
85.3%
2010
74.6%
1997
68.3%
1996
87.9%
1995
86.4%
1992
80%
1991
73.9%
1990

Yamaha Bws Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha Bws fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 22
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 21
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 16
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 12
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised 10
shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. 10
Headlamp aim too low 10

Yamaha Bws Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha Bws models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 22
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 12

Yamaha Bws Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha Bws owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
211 mi/yr
Typical
1,120 mi/yr
Average
1,958 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,673 mi/yr

Yamaha Bws MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Bws year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2015 96 82.3% 8,255 12,222 17,428
2014 408 83.3% 7,006 11,874 21,290
2013 187 80.2% 6,844 12,593 18,076
2012 112 81.3% 4,016 7,562 12,292
2011 258 81.4% 6,435 13,474 22,571
2010 102 85.3% 6,414 9,023 18,758
1997 63 74.6% 8,545 13,722 21,078
1996 63 68.3% 5,360 7,512 11,984
1995 66 87.9% 656 3,310 4,576
1992 66 86.4% 1,317 6,762 8,810
1991 65 80.0% 1,997 3,281 5,390
1990 88 73.9% 1,885 4,170 7,386

How Long Does a Yamaha Bws Last?

Based on 328 Yamaha Bws vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.9 years
Median
10.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
36 years

Yamaha Bws Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Bws MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
9,118 mi
75th Percentile
16,581 mi
95th Percentile
34,304 mi
Max Recorded
166,946 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Bws

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1995

87.9% MOT pass rate from 66 tests

Year to avoid
1996

68.3% MOT pass rate from 63 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha Bws is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.9% across 66 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha Bws Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha Bws THIS CAR 80.8% 1,850 9,118 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
Mazda CX-5 GT Sport D 4X4 Auto 91.6% 559 30,800 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Bws trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha Bws?

The Yamaha Bws has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.8% across 1,850 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 Bws are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (22 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (21), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Yamaha Bws with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Yamaha Bws owner drives around 1,120 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 Bws 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.

Yamaha Bws — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha Bws reliable?
Based on 1,850 MOT tests, the Yamaha Bws has a 80.8% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha Bws?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha Bws do per year?
The typical Yamaha Bws does around 1,120 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha Bws last?
Most Yamaha Bws models stay on UK roads for around 36 years based on our analysis of 328 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha Bws?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Yamaha Bws?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha Bws is 1995 with a 87.9% pass rate across 66 tests.