Yamaha FZ1 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha FZ1 car check
Is the Yamaha FZ1 reliable? We analysed 6,532 real MOT tests across 589 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha FZ1? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha FZ1 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, reflector on motorcycle missing and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha FZ1.
Yamaha FZ1 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha FZ1. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha FZ1 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha FZ1 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha FZ1 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha FZ1 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha FZ1 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha FZ1 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Yamaha FZ1 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha FZ1 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha FZ1 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha FZ1 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 156 | 91.7% | 10,446 | 15,894 | 23,793 |
| 2014 | 527 | 89.2% | 6,910 | 11,367 | 17,780 |
| 2013 | 127 | 90.6% | 4,902 | 9,487 | 21,385 |
| 2012 | 74 | 90.5% | 6,780 | 13,636 | 23,302 |
| 2011 | 174 | 89.7% | 7,270 | 12,010 | 18,318 |
| 2010 | 460 | 88.7% | 6,246 | 13,170 | 22,354 |
| 2009 | 904 | 88.9% | 8,122 | 15,143 | 24,485 |
| 2008 | 1,411 | 88.0% | 7,944 | 15,086 | 24,020 |
| 2007 | 1,553 | 88.3% | 8,669 | 15,799 | 23,180 |
| 2006 | 940 | 86.6% | 9,409 | 16,507 | 27,166 |
| 2004 | 66 | 87.9% | 19,083 | 24,319 | 27,993 |
How Long Does a Yamaha FZ1 Last?
Based on 589 Yamaha FZ1 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha FZ1 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha FZ1 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 FZ1
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.7% MOT pass rate from 156 tests
86.6% MOT pass rate from 940 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha FZ1 is 2015, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.7% across 156 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 86.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha FZ1 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha FZ1 THIS CAR | 88.3% | 6,532 | 14,680 mi | 20 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 |
| Bedford Camper | 67.2% | 3,544 | 65,512 mi | 53 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha FZ1 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha FZ1 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 FZ1Should you buy a used Yamaha FZ1?
The Yamaha FZ1 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.3% across 6,532 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 FZ1 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (57 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (29), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (15). 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 FZ1 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 FZ1 owner drives around 974 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 FZ1 models stay on UK roads for around 20 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.