Yamaha MT03 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha MT03 car check
Is the Yamaha MT03 reliable? We analysed 1,769 real MOT tests across 167 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha MT03? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha MT03 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, drive chain excessively loose and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha MT03.
Yamaha MT03 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha MT03. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha MT03 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha MT03 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha MT03 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha MT03 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha MT03 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha MT03 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Yamaha MT03 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha MT03 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha MT03 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha MT03 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 58 | 84.5% | 8,870 | 13,372 | 18,874 |
| 2011 | 96 | 80.2% | 3,178 | 11,977 | 18,496 |
| 2010 | 143 | 85.3% | 5,692 | 9,914 | 16,359 |
| 2009 | 141 | 84.4% | 5,079 | 9,577 | 17,160 |
| 2008 | 424 | 87.0% | 5,260 | 10,390 | 17,961 |
| 2007 | 551 | 88.2% | 3,638 | 8,221 | 14,815 |
| 2006 | 300 | 84.3% | 4,806 | 11,564 | 20,018 |
How Long Does a Yamaha MT03 Last?
Based on 167 Yamaha MT03 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha MT03 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha MT03 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 MT03
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.2% MOT pass rate from 551 tests
80.2% MOT pass rate from 96 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha MT03 is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.2% across 551 tests. The 2011 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha MT03 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha MT03 THIS CAR | 85.9% | 1,769 | 9,693 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 |
| Land Rover Defender Hard Top Hse D MHEV A | 91.4% | 1,326 | 41,430 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha MT03 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha MT03 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 MT03Should you buy a used Yamaha MT03?
The Yamaha MT03 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.9% across 1,769 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 MT03 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (24 recorded failures), drive chain excessively loose (9), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (8). 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 brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Yamaha MT03 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 MT03 owner drives around 837 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 MT03 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.