Yamaha CG50 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha CG50 car check
Is the Yamaha CG50 reliable? We analysed 759 real MOT tests across 185 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha CG50? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha CG50 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam and steering headbearing has excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha CG50.
Yamaha CG50 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha CG50. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha CG50 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha CG50 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha CG50 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha CG50 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha CG50 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha CG50 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha CG50 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha CG50 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 81 | 69.1% | 3,242 | 7,999 | 10,961 |
| 2002 | 68 | 77.9% | 3,434 | 7,229 | 9,894 |
| 1992 | 54 | 70.4% | 1,460 | 4,797 | 8,228 |
| 1991 | 71 | 73.2% | 3,629 | 4,635 | 6,506 |
| 1990 | 108 | 78.7% | 2,773 | 4,493 | 6,062 |
| 1989 | 109 | 78.9% | 2,446 | 4,508 | 6,340 |
How Long Does a Yamaha CG50 Last?
Based on 185 Yamaha CG50 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha CG50 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha CG50 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 CG50
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
78.9% MOT pass rate from 109 tests
69.1% MOT pass rate from 81 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha CG50 is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 78.9% across 109 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha CG50 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha CG50 THIS CAR | 77.3% | 759 | 5,062 mi | 37 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 |
| Kia Mentor Glx | 59% | 1,384 | 77,935 mi | 32 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha CG50 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha CG50 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 CG50Should you buy a used Yamaha CG50?
The Yamaha CG50 has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.3% across 759 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 CG50 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (22 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (16), and steering headbearing has excessive free play (15). 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 CG50 owner drives around 439 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 CG50 models stay on UK roads for around 37 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.