Yamaha FS1 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha FS1 car check
Is the Yamaha FS1 reliable? We analysed 3,134 real MOT tests across 739 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha FS1? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha FS1 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, direction indicators not working and horn not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha FS1.
Yamaha FS1 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha FS1. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha FS1 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha FS1 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha FS1 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha FS1 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha FS1 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha FS1 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha FS1 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha FS1 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 63 | 82.5% | 8,075 | 14,757 | 19,624 |
| 2007 | 86 | 88.4% | 5,061 | 9,319 | 18,918 |
| 1992 | 61 | 70.5% | 12,729 | 15,382 | 18,168 |
| 1991 | 118 | 83.1% | 6,573 | 9,886 | 16,015 |
| 1990 | 185 | 77.3% | 10,800 | 17,932 | 26,553 |
| 1989 | 325 | 78.8% | 11,570 | 18,979 | 23,570 |
| 1988 | 297 | 80.5% | 7,193 | 15,997 | 20,471 |
| 1987 | 388 | 82.0% | 8,511 | 17,379 | 22,856 |
| 1980 | 85 | 88.2% | 6,378 | 20,112 | 47,045 |
| 1979 | 91 | 89.0% | 2,040 | 8,912 | 18,742 |
| 1978 | 50 | 88.0% | 1,163 | 11,545 | 21,706 |
| 1977 | 253 | 90.1% | 4,119 | 18,585 | 23,611 |
| 1976 | 222 | 88.3% | 5,461 | 13,503 | 19,862 |
| 1975 | 241 | 86.7% | 10,613 | 14,296 | 23,845 |
| 1974 | 111 | 92.8% | 8,384 | 17,447 | 23,831 |
| 1973 | 116 | 87.9% | 4,294 | 13,072 | 21,074 |
How Long Does a Yamaha FS1 Last?
Based on 739 Yamaha FS1 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha FS1 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha FS1 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 FS1
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.8% MOT pass rate from 111 tests
70.5% MOT pass rate from 61 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha FS1 is 1974, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.8% across 111 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha FS1 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha FS1 THIS CAR | 84.4% | 3,134 | 15,355 mi | 53 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 |
| Ferrari 458 Spider Dct S-a | 93.6% | 4,098 | 11,839 mi | 14 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha FS1 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha FS1 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 FS1Should you buy a used Yamaha FS1?
The Yamaha FS1 has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.4% across 3,134 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 FS1 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (54 recorded failures), direction indicators not working (33), and horn not working (33). 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 FS1 owner drives around 117 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 FS1 models stay on UK roads for around 53 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.