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Yamaha Fazer Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha Fazer car check

Is the Yamaha Fazer reliable? We analysed 6,079 real MOT tests across 580 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 6,079 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
86.1%
Typical Mileage
19,667mi
Annual Mileage
1,106mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
40yrs

The Yamaha Fazer is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Fazer.

Yamaha Fazer Number Plates

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

Yamaha Fazer MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

91.9%
2016
89.8%
2015
87.5%
2014
90%
2013
91%
2012
85.9%
2011
88.2%
2010
88.8%
2009
87.8%
2008
87.5%
2007
87.4%
2006
83.7%
2005
89.9%
2004
86.1%
2003
85.9%
2002
82.5%
2001
85.2%
2000
80%
1999
80.4%
1998
79.1%
1986

Yamaha Fazer Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha Fazer 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 80
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 37
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 37
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside 36
Drive chain excessively loose 21
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 18
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 17

Yamaha Fazer Common Faults & Problems

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

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 42
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 20

Yamaha Fazer Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
386 mi/yr
Typical
1,106 mi/yr
Average
2,009 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,553 mi/yr

Yamaha Fazer MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2016 74 91.9% 5,899 7,116 12,111
2015 157 89.8% 6,551 11,311 18,419
2014 920 87.5% 9,472 16,018 25,318
2013 160 90.0% 5,471 11,534 27,770
2012 155 91.0% 6,321 10,939 18,532
2011 128 85.9% 12,374 24,920 38,028
2010 127 88.2% 9,288 16,866 24,843
2009 269 88.8% 8,907 15,725 26,613
2008 221 87.8% 8,538 18,487 28,854
2007 343 87.5% 8,701 16,041 21,911
2006 309 87.4% 11,243 16,711 24,848
2005 123 83.7% 8,638 13,247 25,562
2004 217 89.9% 7,165 16,640 42,331
2003 237 86.1% 11,052 19,316 29,199
2002 573 85.9% 11,306 22,674 41,209
2001 491 82.5% 16,218 23,488 40,617
2000 676 85.2% 15,671 25,192 36,545
1999 235 80.0% 16,254 36,078 45,976
1998 296 80.4% 22,078 38,248 47,516
1986 172 79.1% 23,041 25,981 31,603

How Long Does a Yamaha Fazer Last?

Based on 580 Yamaha Fazer vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.7 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
40 years

Yamaha Fazer Mileage Distribution

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

Median
19,667 mi
75th Percentile
33,189 mi
95th Percentile
58,532 mi
Max Recorded
139,909 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Fazer

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

Best year
2016

91.9% MOT pass rate from 74 tests

Year to avoid
1986

79.1% MOT pass rate from 172 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha Fazer is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.9% across 74 tests. The 1986 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha Fazer Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha Fazer THIS CAR 86.1% 6,079 19,667 mi 40 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
Aston Martin DB4 89.7% 3,026 31,798 mi 67 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Fazer sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha Fazer?

The Yamaha Fazer has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.1% across 6,079 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 Fazer are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (80 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (37), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (37). 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 Fazer 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 Fazer owner drives around 1,106 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 Fazer models stay on UK roads for around 40 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 Fazer — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha Fazer reliable?
Based on 6,079 MOT tests, the Yamaha Fazer has a 86.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha Fazer?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha Fazer do per year?
The typical Yamaha Fazer does around 1,106 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha Fazer last?
Most Yamaha Fazer models stay on UK roads for around 40 years based on our analysis of 580 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha Fazer?
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 Fazer?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha Fazer is 2016 with a 91.9% pass rate across 74 tests.