Yamaha FS1E Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha FS1E car check
Is the Yamaha FS1E reliable? We analysed 2,713 real MOT tests across 559 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha FS1E? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha FS1E is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha FS1E.
Yamaha FS1E Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha FS1E. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha FS1E MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha FS1E to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha FS1E Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha FS1E fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha FS1E Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha FS1E owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha FS1E MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha FS1E year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 104 | 78.8% | 12,300 | 19,368 | 28,640 |
| 1989 | 83 | 86.7% | 9,294 | 17,693 | 22,185 |
| 1988 | 117 | 73.5% | 8,173 | 14,766 | 23,329 |
| 1987 | 190 | 77.4% | 11,354 | 16,684 | 21,936 |
| 1979 | 122 | 75.4% | 11,602 | 16,102 | 18,461 |
| 1977 | 470 | 91.5% | 6,917 | 14,153 | 22,179 |
| 1976 | 408 | 90.0% | 5,822 | 11,859 | 17,867 |
| 1975 | 430 | 90.0% | 7,770 | 15,185 | 20,922 |
| 1974 | 244 | 87.3% | 728 | 8,876 | 18,745 |
| 1973 | 237 | 91.1% | 9,887 | 20,547 | 24,759 |
How Long Does a Yamaha FS1E Last?
Based on 559 Yamaha FS1E vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha FS1E Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha FS1E 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 FS1E
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.5% MOT pass rate from 470 tests
73.5% MOT pass rate from 117 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha FS1E is 1977, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.5% across 470 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha FS1E Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha FS1E THIS CAR | 87.0% | 2,713 | 14,458 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 |
| Honda Cb 600 F5 | 84.7% | 1,639 | 16,240 mi | 21 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha FS1E outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha FS1E 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 FS1EShould you buy a used Yamaha FS1E?
The Yamaha FS1E has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.0% across 2,713 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 FS1E are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (27 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (23), and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (21). 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 FS1E owner drives around 82 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 FS1E 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.