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Yamaha Fj Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha Fj car check

Is the Yamaha Fj reliable? We analysed 1,513 real MOT tests across 151 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,513 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
83.9%
Typical Mileage
39,878mi
Annual Mileage
845mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
42yrs

The Yamaha Fj is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Fj.

Yamaha Fj Number Plates

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

Yamaha Fj MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

77.6%
1997
85.7%
1995
80.6%
1992
87.6%
1991
80.9%
1990
87.9%
1989
81.3%
1988
73.4%
1987
88.2%
1986
71%
1984

Yamaha Fj Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha Fj fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 31
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 18
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 13
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 12
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 11
Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 10
Horn not working 8
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on 8
Drive chain excessively loose 6

Yamaha Fj Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
283 mi/yr
Typical
845 mi/yr
Average
1,585 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,991 mi/yr

Yamaha Fj MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1997 67 77.6% 31,058 37,784 49,310
1995 98 85.7% 25,863 37,874 46,217
1992 170 80.6% 29,365 44,224 54,524
1991 258 87.6% 29,686 40,791 53,395
1990 209 80.9% 25,151 37,224 54,765
1989 198 87.9% 28,082 43,170 53,893
1988 64 81.3% 40,966 46,898 53,971
1987 64 73.4% 23,868 46,398 52,536
1986 51 88.2% 25,228 36,324 39,516
1984 62 71.0% 10,216 39,172 52,212

How Long Does a Yamaha Fj Last?

Based on 151 Yamaha Fj vehicles on UK roads.

Average
26.0 years
Median
26.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
42 years

Yamaha Fj Mileage Distribution

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

Median
39,878 mi
75th Percentile
52,946 mi
95th Percentile
76,780 mi
Max Recorded
727,031 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Fj

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

Best year
1986

88.2% MOT pass rate from 51 tests

Year to avoid
1984

71.0% MOT pass rate from 62 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha Fj is 1986, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.2% across 51 tests. The 1984 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha Fj Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha Fj THIS CAR 83.9% 1,513 39,878 mi 42 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 Zx 636 Edf 85.7% 1,336 9,773 mi 14 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Fj trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha Fj?

The Yamaha Fj has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.9% across 1,513 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 Fj are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (31 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (18), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (13). 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 Fj owner drives around 845 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 Fj models stay on UK roads for around 42 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 Fj — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha Fj reliable?
Based on 1,513 MOT tests, the Yamaha Fj has a 83.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha Fj?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha Fj do per year?
The typical Yamaha Fj does around 845 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha Fj last?
Most Yamaha Fj models stay on UK roads for around 42 years based on our analysis of 151 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha Fj?
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 Fj?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha Fj is 1986 with a 88.2% pass rate across 51 tests.