Yamaha Maxim Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Maxim car check
Is the Yamaha Maxim reliable? We analysed 868 real MOT tests across 115 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Maxim? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Maxim is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and direction indicators not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Maxim.
Yamaha Maxim Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Maxim. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Maxim MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Maxim to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Maxim Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Maxim fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Maxim Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Maxim owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Maxim MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Maxim year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 59 | 83.1% | 16,822 | 21,151 | 28,488 |
| 1985 | 355 | 84.2% | 17,889 | 28,876 | 46,134 |
| 1982 | 142 | 80.3% | 16,501 | 21,856 | 32,207 |
| 1981 | 100 | 82.0% | 21,320 | 30,643 | 38,562 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Maxim Last?
Based on 115 Yamaha Maxim vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Maxim Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Maxim 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 Maxim
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.2% MOT pass rate from 355 tests
80.3% MOT pass rate from 142 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Maxim is 1985, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.2% across 355 tests. The 1982 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Maxim Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Maxim THIS CAR | 83.2% | 868 | 26,595 mi | 45 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 |
| Mercedes 814D | 74.5% | 863 | 185,701 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Maxim trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Maxim 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 MaximShould you buy a used Yamaha Maxim?
The Yamaha Maxim has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.2% across 868 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 Maxim are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (15 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (8), and direction indicators not working (5). 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 Maxim owner drives around 298 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 Maxim models stay on UK roads for around 45 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.