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Yamaha FZS600 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha FZS600 car check

Is the Yamaha FZS600 reliable? We analysed 157,659 real MOT tests across 11,903 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 157,659 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
85.0%
Typical Mileage
22,466mi
Annual Mileage
965mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
28yrs

The Yamaha FZS600 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha FZS600.

Yamaha FZS600 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha FZS600. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha FZS600 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha FZS600 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

86.4%
2008
85.5%
2007
83%
2006
85%
2005
81.6%
2004
87.7%
2003
86.5%
2002
84.7%
2001
84%
2000
83.5%
1999
83%
1998

Yamaha FZS600 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha FZS600 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 2,688
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 1,481
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 1,175
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 769
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 748
Footrest insecure 674
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 644
Drive chain excessively loose 637
Tyre valve stem damaged which could cause sudden tyre deflation 499

Yamaha FZS600 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha FZS600 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 510

Yamaha FZS600 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha FZS600 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
311 mi/yr
Typical
965 mi/yr
Average
1,883 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,332 mi/yr

Yamaha FZS600 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha FZS600 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2008 110 86.4% 6,886 11,103 22,804
2007 207 85.5% 12,016 22,416 37,176
2006 88 83.0% 22,709 25,654 36,101
2005 273 85.0% 7,947 14,135 26,058
2004 283 81.6% 8,472 14,630 25,008
2003 27,046 87.7% 10,588 18,585 29,577
2002 27,619 86.5% 11,844 20,303 32,060
2001 25,271 84.7% 13,022 21,179 32,904
2000 25,507 84.0% 14,697 22,972 33,998
1999 29,840 83.5% 16,962 25,718 36,937
1998 21,057 83.0% 17,246 26,256 37,091

How Long Does a Yamaha FZS600 Last?

Based on 11,903 Yamaha FZS600 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
18.1 years
Median
20.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
28 years

Yamaha FZS600 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha FZS600 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
22,466 mi
75th Percentile
33,907 mi
95th Percentile
56,515 mi
Max Recorded
832,292 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha FZS600

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

Best year
2003

87.7% MOT pass rate from 27,046 tests

Year to avoid
2004

81.6% MOT pass rate from 283 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha FZS600 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.7% across 27,046 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha FZS600 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha FZS600 THIS CAR 85.0% 157,659 22,466 mi 28 yrs
Yamaha Yzf R1 86.5% 175,313 16,232 mi 28 yrs
Yamaha XJR1300 88.8% 107,128 16,836 mi 27 yrs
Yamaha Yzf R6 83% 102,114 14,690 mi 27 yrs
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 78.5% 125,122 49,108 mi 11 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha XJR1300 (88.8% pass rate), the Yamaha FZS600 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha FZS600?

The Yamaha FZS600 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.0% across 157,659 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 FZS600 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (2,688 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1,481), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (1,175). 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 FZS600 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 FZS600 owner drives around 965 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 FZS600 models stay on UK roads for around 28 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 FZS600 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha FZS600 reliable?
Based on 157,659 MOT tests, the Yamaha FZS600 has a 85.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha FZS600?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha FZS600 do per year?
The typical Yamaha FZS600 does around 965 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha FZS600 last?
Most Yamaha FZS600 models stay on UK roads for around 28 years based on our analysis of 11,903 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha FZS600?
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 FZS600?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha FZS600 is 2003 with a 87.7% pass rate across 27,046 tests.