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Yamaha FZR750R Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha FZR750R car check

Is the Yamaha FZR750R reliable? We analysed 622 real MOT tests across 140 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 622 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
83.0%
Typical Mileage
22,883mi
Annual Mileage
359mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
37yrs

The Yamaha FZR750R is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha FZR750R.

Yamaha FZR750R Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha FZR750R. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha FZR750R MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha FZR750R to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

93.3%
1990
88.7%
1989

Yamaha FZR750R Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha FZR750R fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

reflector on motorcycle missing 12
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 10
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 9
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 6
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 5
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 4
suspension bush has excessive free play 4
wheel bearings have excessive free play 4
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times per minute 4
Tyre valve stem damaged which could cause sudden tyre deflation 3

Yamaha FZR750R Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha FZR750R owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
117 mi/yr
Typical
359 mi/yr
Average
1,003 mi/yr
Heavy usage
953 mi/yr

Yamaha FZR750R MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha FZR750R year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1990 60 93.3% 4,688 12,148 14,500
1989 71 88.7% 9,333 18,074 22,453

How Long Does a Yamaha FZR750R Last?

Based on 140 Yamaha FZR750R vehicles on UK roads.

Average
19.9 years
Median
19.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
37 years

Yamaha FZR750R Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha FZR750R MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
22,883 mi
75th Percentile
39,717 mi
95th Percentile
60,537 mi
Max Recorded
99,329 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha FZR750R

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

Best year
1990

93.3% MOT pass rate from 60 tests

Year to avoid
1989

88.7% MOT pass rate from 71 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha FZR750R is 1990, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.3% across 60 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 88.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha FZR750R Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha FZR750R THIS CAR 83.0% 622 22,883 mi 37 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
Peugeot 308 GT Puretech S/s Auto 90.9% 661 21,977 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha FZR750R trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha FZR750R?

The Yamaha FZR750R has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.0% across 622 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 FZR750R are reflector on motorcycle missing (12 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (10), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (9). 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 FZR750R owner drives around 359 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 FZR750R models stay on UK roads for around 37 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 FZR750R — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha FZR750R reliable?
Based on 622 MOT tests, the Yamaha FZR750R has a 83.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha FZR750R?
The most common MOT failures are reflector on motorcycle missing, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha FZR750R do per year?
The typical Yamaha FZR750R does around 359 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha FZR750R last?
Most Yamaha FZR750R models stay on UK roads for around 37 years based on our analysis of 140 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha FZR750R?
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 FZR750R?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha FZR750R is 1990 with a 93.3% pass rate across 60 tests.