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Yamaha FZ1S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha FZ1S car check

Is the Yamaha FZ1S reliable? We analysed 15,127 real MOT tests across 1,279 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 15,127 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
90.5%
Typical Mileage
16,836mi
Annual Mileage
1,142mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
20yrs

The Yamaha FZ1S 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 FZ1S.

Yamaha FZ1S Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha FZ1S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha FZ1S MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha FZ1S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

89.1%
2013
93.8%
2012
89.2%
2011
92.2%
2010
91.5%
2009
91.1%
2008
89.6%
2007
89.6%
2006

Yamaha FZ1S Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha FZ1S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 88
reflector on motorcycle missing 42
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 40
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 34

Yamaha FZ1S Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha FZ1S models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 41
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 33

Yamaha FZ1S Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha FZ1S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
421 mi/yr
Typical
1,142 mi/yr
Average
1,938 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,463 mi/yr

Yamaha FZ1S MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha FZ1S year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2013 119 89.1% 4,273 10,743 20,842
2012 113 93.8% 11,438 15,648 25,262
2011 204 89.2% 9,040 17,878 27,110
2010 1,006 92.2% 8,303 14,765 24,781
2009 2,540 91.5% 8,708 14,930 24,606
2008 3,901 91.1% 10,079 16,600 25,733
2007 3,612 89.6% 9,742 16,596 26,090
2006 3,339 89.6% 11,366 19,177 28,983

How Long Does a Yamaha FZ1S Last?

Based on 1,279 Yamaha FZ1S vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.1 years
Median
16.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
20 years

Yamaha FZ1S Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha FZ1S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
16,836 mi
75th Percentile
26,393 mi
95th Percentile
47,490 mi
Max Recorded
950,077 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha FZ1S

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

Best year
2012

93.8% MOT pass rate from 113 tests

Year to avoid
2013

89.1% MOT pass rate from 119 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha FZ1S is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.8% across 113 tests. The 2013 model year has the lowest pass rate at 89.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha FZ1S Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha FZ1S THIS CAR 90.5% 15,127 16,836 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
Mini Unknown 85.9% 9,619 47,909 mi 12 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha FZ1S outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha FZ1S?

The Yamaha FZ1S has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.5% across 15,127 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 FZ1S are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (88 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (42), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (40). 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 FZ1S 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 FZ1S owner drives around 1,142 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 FZ1S 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.

Yamaha FZ1S — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha FZ1S reliable?
Based on 15,127 MOT tests, the Yamaha FZ1S has a 90.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha FZ1S?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, reflector on motorcycle missing, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha FZ1S do per year?
The typical Yamaha FZ1S does around 1,142 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha FZ1S last?
Most Yamaha FZ1S models stay on UK roads for around 20 years based on our analysis of 1,279 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha FZ1S?
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 FZ1S?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha FZ1S is 2012 with a 93.8% pass rate across 113 tests.