Yamaha DT50 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha DT50 car check
Is the Yamaha DT50 reliable? We analysed 3,954 real MOT tests across 804 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha DT50? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha DT50 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, reflector on motorcycle missing and direction indicators not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha DT50.
Yamaha DT50 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha DT50. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha DT50 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha DT50 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha DT50 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha DT50 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha DT50 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha DT50 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha DT50 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha DT50 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 69 | 65.2% | 1,714 | 5,266 | 9,785 |
| 2005 | 211 | 65.4% | 2,937 | 6,963 | 11,425 |
| 2004 | 317 | 66.9% | 3,038 | 5,648 | 9,652 |
| 2003 | 185 | 66.5% | 7,325 | 9,849 | 15,051 |
| 2002 | 68 | 64.7% | 3,870 | 8,632 | 15,343 |
| 1996 | 112 | 73.2% | 16,125 | 20,493 | 34,123 |
| 1995 | 167 | 72.5% | 12,562 | 18,238 | 23,132 |
| 1994 | 260 | 72.3% | 12,280 | 18,749 | 26,008 |
| 1993 | 123 | 67.5% | 16,658 | 21,077 | 28,712 |
| 1992 | 88 | 69.3% | 13,342 | 20,307 | 24,802 |
| 1991 | 231 | 72.3% | 11,863 | 15,612 | 21,030 |
| 1990 | 419 | 70.2% | 19,342 | 25,402 | 33,470 |
| 1989 | 434 | 71.4% | 16,524 | 22,683 | 30,761 |
| 1988 | 277 | 71.8% | 16,928 | 24,410 | 31,170 |
| 1987 | 198 | 71.7% | 15,487 | 22,217 | 28,635 |
| 1986 | 126 | 73.0% | 11,848 | 23,276 | 29,874 |
| 1985 | 96 | 74.0% | 7,803 | 19,917 | 23,520 |
| 1984 | 102 | 71.6% | 17,266 | 22,097 | 26,291 |
| 1983 | 85 | 74.1% | 13,277 | 19,648 | 25,646 |
| 1982 | 103 | 69.9% | 8,977 | 15,084 | 26,240 |
How Long Does a Yamaha DT50 Last?
Based on 804 Yamaha DT50 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha DT50 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha DT50 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 DT50
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
74.1% MOT pass rate from 85 tests
64.7% MOT pass rate from 68 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha DT50 is 1983, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.1% across 85 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha DT50 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha DT50 THIS CAR | 70.6% | 3,954 | 17,967 mi | 44 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 |
| Kawasaki Zr 750 Nbf | 87% | 1,770 | 9,892 mi | 15 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha DT50 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha DT50 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 DT50Should you buy a used Yamaha DT50?
The Yamaha DT50 has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.6% across 3,954 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Yamaha DT50 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (200 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (181), and direction indicators not working (91). 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 DT50 owner drives around 385 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 DT50 models stay on UK roads for around 44 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.