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Yamaha MT-01 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha MT-01 car check

Is the Yamaha MT-01 reliable? We analysed 7,140 real MOT tests across 763 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 7,140 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
90.4%
Typical Mileage
11,228mi
Annual Mileage
698mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
21yrs

The Yamaha MT-01 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha MT-01.

Yamaha MT-01 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha MT-01. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha MT-01 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha MT-01 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

94.2%
2011
94.2%
2010
91.6%
2009
88.6%
2008
91%
2007
90.3%
2006
89.7%
2005

Yamaha MT-01 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha MT-01 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 57
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 55
reflector on motorcycle missing 24
Headlamp aim too low 10
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 9
Drive chain excessively loose 8

Yamaha MT-01 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha MT-01 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 17
Valve stem seriously damaged 10

Yamaha MT-01 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha MT-01 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
258 mi/yr
Typical
698 mi/yr
Average
1,186 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,507 mi/yr

Yamaha MT-01 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha MT-01 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2011 138 94.2% 3,414 9,106 13,218
2010 137 94.2% 3,542 5,862 14,595
2009 371 91.6% 6,442 9,695 15,327
2008 588 88.6% 5,477 10,737 16,489
2007 2,091 91.0% 6,300 10,647 16,715
2006 1,496 90.3% 7,100 12,799 20,016
2005 2,197 89.7% 7,001 11,818 19,446

How Long Does a Yamaha MT-01 Last?

Based on 763 Yamaha MT-01 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.3 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
21 years

Yamaha MT-01 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha MT-01 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
11,228 mi
75th Percentile
18,072 mi
95th Percentile
32,826 mi
Max Recorded
174,428 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha MT-01

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

Best year
2010

94.2% MOT pass rate from 137 tests

Year to avoid
2008

88.6% MOT pass rate from 588 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha MT-01 is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.2% across 137 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 88.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha MT-01 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha MT-01 THIS CAR 90.4% 7,140 11,228 mi 21 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
Ford Transit Custom 340LIMITD Eblue 82.9% 2,567 65,827 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha MT-01 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha MT-01?

The Yamaha MT-01 has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.4% across 7,140 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 MT-01 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (57 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (55), and reflector on motorcycle missing (24). 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 MT-01 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 MT-01 owner drives around 698 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 MT-01 models stay on UK roads for around 21 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 MT-01 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha MT-01 reliable?
Based on 7,140 MOT tests, the Yamaha MT-01 has a 90.4% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha MT-01?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and reflector on motorcycle missing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha MT-01 do per year?
The typical Yamaha MT-01 does around 698 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha MT-01 last?
Most Yamaha MT-01 models stay on UK roads for around 21 years based on our analysis of 763 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha MT-01?
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 MT-01?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha MT-01 is 2010 with a 94.2% pass rate across 137 tests.