Yamaha FZR400 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha FZR400 car check
Is the Yamaha FZR400 reliable? We analysed 5,045 real MOT tests across 998 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha FZR400? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha FZR400 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, reflector on motorcycle missing and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha FZR400.
Yamaha FZR400 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha FZR400. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha FZR400 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha FZR400 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha FZR400 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha FZR400 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha FZR400 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha FZR400 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha FZR400 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha FZR400 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 82 | 79.3% | 17,438 | 24,418 | 30,725 |
| 2002 | 60 | 78.3% | 17,417 | 20,220 | 34,429 |
| 2001 | 91 | 74.7% | 15,602 | 20,310 | 27,691 |
| 2000 | 167 | 77.8% | 20,648 | 27,472 | 37,499 |
| 1999 | 184 | 77.2% | 23,676 | 28,530 | 35,253 |
| 1998 | 521 | 72.7% | 21,128 | 30,697 | 38,821 |
| 1997 | 679 | 77.3% | 20,968 | 29,594 | 41,268 |
| 1996 | 746 | 76.5% | 21,465 | 30,167 | 38,650 |
| 1995 | 458 | 76.6% | 20,106 | 31,423 | 43,131 |
| 1994 | 372 | 76.3% | 20,354 | 32,319 | 40,456 |
| 1993 | 340 | 74.1% | 21,473 | 32,332 | 41,560 |
| 1992 | 322 | 77.3% | 18,651 | 28,296 | 39,216 |
| 1991 | 203 | 72.9% | 25,389 | 32,625 | 41,625 |
| 1990 | 227 | 74.4% | 21,154 | 28,472 | 47,290 |
| 1989 | 177 | 78.0% | 20,899 | 34,612 | 42,498 |
| 1988 | 178 | 74.2% | 17,970 | 27,267 | 39,345 |
| 1987 | 106 | 72.6% | 28,347 | 36,502 | 54,886 |
How Long Does a Yamaha FZR400 Last?
Based on 998 Yamaha FZR400 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha FZR400 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha FZR400 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 FZR400
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.3% MOT pass rate from 82 tests
72.6% MOT pass rate from 106 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha FZR400 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.3% across 82 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha FZR400 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha FZR400 THIS CAR | 75.9% | 5,045 | 29,620 mi | 39 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 |
| Kawasaki Zx 1000 Wkf | 93.4% | 4,366 | 8,307 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha FZR400 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha FZR400 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 FZR400Should you buy a used Yamaha FZR400?
The Yamaha FZR400 has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.9% across 5,045 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 FZR400 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (209 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (143), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (106). 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 FZR400 owner drives around 530 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 FZR400 models stay on UK roads for around 39 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.