Yamaha MT-03 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha MT-03 car check
Is the Yamaha MT-03 reliable? We analysed 8,864 real MOT tests across 864 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha MT-03? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha MT-03 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and drive chain excessively loose. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha MT-03.
Yamaha MT-03 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha MT-03. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha MT-03 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha MT-03 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha MT-03 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha MT-03 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha MT-03 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha MT-03 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Yamaha MT-03 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha MT-03 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha MT-03 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha MT-03 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 118 | 88.1% | 4,110 | 7,381 | 10,755 |
| 2012 | 221 | 89.1% | 5,225 | 9,007 | 15,288 |
| 2011 | 435 | 85.7% | 4,162 | 7,854 | 14,143 |
| 2010 | 667 | 87.1% | 4,062 | 7,911 | 14,312 |
| 2009 | 885 | 86.8% | 5,439 | 10,268 | 15,970 |
| 2008 | 1,932 | 85.9% | 5,590 | 10,299 | 17,695 |
| 2007 | 2,526 | 86.0% | 5,591 | 10,124 | 16,975 |
| 2006 | 1,977 | 84.2% | 5,761 | 11,260 | 17,770 |
How Long Does a Yamaha MT-03 Last?
Based on 864 Yamaha MT-03 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha MT-03 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha MT-03 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 MT-03
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.1% MOT pass rate from 221 tests
84.2% MOT pass rate from 1,977 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha MT-03 is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.1% across 221 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.2% — 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-03 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha MT-03 THIS CAR | 85.9% | 8,864 | 9,996 mi | 20 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 |
| Ktm 350 | 83.7% | 4,902 | 2,811 mi | 15 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha MT-03 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha MT-03 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 MT-03Should you buy a used Yamaha MT-03?
The Yamaha MT-03 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.9% across 8,864 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-03 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (118 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (61), and drive chain excessively loose (50). 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-03 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-03 owner drives around 797 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-03 models stay on UK roads for around 20 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.