Yamaha CS50 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha CS50 car check
Is the Yamaha CS50 reliable? We analysed 6,571 real MOT tests across 1,150 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha CS50? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha CS50 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 brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha CS50.
Yamaha CS50 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha CS50. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha CS50 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha CS50 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha CS50 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha CS50 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha CS50 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha CS50 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha CS50 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha CS50 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 85 | 74.1% | 1,562 | 3,308 | 5,443 |
| 2011 | 261 | 80.1% | 1,843 | 3,533 | 5,269 |
| 2010 | 522 | 76.6% | 1,836 | 3,433 | 5,216 |
| 2009 | 601 | 76.5% | 1,786 | 3,496 | 5,343 |
| 2008 | 922 | 77.5% | 1,804 | 3,474 | 5,231 |
| 2007 | 684 | 73.4% | 2,043 | 3,461 | 5,193 |
| 2006 | 549 | 75.8% | 2,306 | 3,849 | 5,561 |
| 2005 | 684 | 73.4% | 2,213 | 4,262 | 6,080 |
| 2004 | 832 | 74.0% | 5,246 | 8,490 | 12,090 |
| 2003 | 654 | 72.6% | 4,064 | 6,902 | 10,456 |
| 2002 | 624 | 72.0% | 4,498 | 7,125 | 10,860 |
How Long Does a Yamaha CS50 Last?
Based on 1,150 Yamaha CS50 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha CS50 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha CS50 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 CS50
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.1% MOT pass rate from 261 tests
72.0% MOT pass rate from 624 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha CS50 is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.1% across 261 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha CS50 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha CS50 THIS CAR | 75.0% | 6,571 | 4,532 mi | 24 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 |
| Honda Cbr 600 F-4 | 88.9% | 4,769 | 17,132 mi | 23 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha CS50 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha CS50 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 CS50Should you buy a used Yamaha CS50?
The Yamaha CS50 has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.0% across 6,571 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 CS50 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (253 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (219), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (204). 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 CS50 owner drives around 692 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 CS50 models stay on UK roads for around 24 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.