Yamaha Fz Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Fz car check
Is the Yamaha Fz reliable? We analysed 849 real MOT tests across 113 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Fz? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Fz is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, reflector on motorcycle missing and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Fz.
Yamaha Fz Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Fz. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Fz MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Fz to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Fz Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Fz fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Fz Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha Fz models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Yamaha Fz Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Fz owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Fz MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Fz year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 66 | 89.4% | 5,234 | 14,930 | 25,749 |
| 1990 | 125 | 80.0% | 22,713 | 30,596 | 49,464 |
| 1989 | 50 | 84.0% | 37,648 | 46,572 | 70,214 |
| 1988 | 113 | 79.6% | 25,842 | 35,644 | 50,727 |
| 1987 | 67 | 86.6% | 12,136 | 33,126 | 47,585 |
| 1986 | 68 | 82.4% | 29,364 | 39,898 | 55,547 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Fz Last?
Based on 113 Yamaha Fz vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Fz Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Fz 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 Fz
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.4% MOT pass rate from 66 tests
79.6% MOT pass rate from 113 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Fz is 2008, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.4% across 66 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Fz Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Fz THIS CAR | 81.9% | 849 | 28,408 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 |
| BMW 116I SE | 81% | 1,003 | 92,713 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Fz trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Fz 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 FzShould you buy a used Yamaha Fz?
The Yamaha Fz has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.9% across 849 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 Fz are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (11 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (11), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (11). 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 Fz 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 Fz owner drives around 499 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 Fz 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.