Yamaha Dragstar Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Dragstar car check
Is the Yamaha Dragstar reliable? We analysed 3,041 real MOT tests across 248 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Dragstar? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Dragstar 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 shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Dragstar.
Yamaha Dragstar Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Dragstar. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Dragstar MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Dragstar to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Dragstar Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Dragstar fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Dragstar Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Dragstar owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Dragstar MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Dragstar year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 66 | 89.4% | 9,085 | 25,062 | 30,644 |
| 2007 | 71 | 88.7% | 5,118 | 8,621 | 11,124 |
| 2005 | 150 | 94.0% | 5,736 | 9,414 | 14,998 |
| 2004 | 88 | 95.5% | 2,680 | 5,788 | 9,043 |
| 2003 | 212 | 89.2% | 8,727 | 14,861 | 21,850 |
| 2002 | 270 | 84.8% | 8,202 | 16,203 | 27,331 |
| 2001 | 232 | 84.5% | 8,140 | 12,968 | 26,533 |
| 2000 | 354 | 86.2% | 12,588 | 22,101 | 31,639 |
| 1999 | 182 | 86.3% | 11,124 | 22,863 | 30,206 |
| 1998 | 221 | 83.7% | 11,788 | 17,418 | 26,600 |
| 1997 | 1,038 | 85.8% | 9,321 | 15,536 | 22,856 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Dragstar Last?
Based on 248 Yamaha Dragstar vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Dragstar Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Dragstar 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 Dragstar
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
95.5% MOT pass rate from 88 tests
83.7% MOT pass rate from 221 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Dragstar is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.5% across 88 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 83.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Dragstar Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Dragstar THIS CAR | 86.8% | 3,041 | 14,918 mi | 29 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 DR-Z400 | 82.5% | 1,602 | 6,939 mi | 46 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Dragstar outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Dragstar 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 DragstarShould you buy a used Yamaha Dragstar?
The Yamaha Dragstar has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.8% across 3,041 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 Dragstar are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (34 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (21), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (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 Dragstar owner drives around 483 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 Dragstar models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.