Yamaha QT50 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha QT50 car check
Is the Yamaha QT50 reliable? We analysed 1,263 real MOT tests across 271 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha QT50? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha QT50 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp, direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute and direction indicators not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha QT50.
Yamaha QT50 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha QT50. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha QT50 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha QT50 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha QT50 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha QT50 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha QT50 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha QT50 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha QT50 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha QT50 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 79 | 84.8% | 1,092 | 3,136 | 6,708 |
| 1992 | 137 | 83.9% | 1,911 | 4,148 | 6,705 |
| 1991 | 153 | 90.8% | 1,852 | 4,779 | 7,239 |
| 1990 | 203 | 86.7% | 2,592 | 5,506 | 7,580 |
| 1989 | 100 | 84.0% | 2,795 | 5,438 | 7,257 |
| 1988 | 62 | 79.0% | 2,285 | 5,694 | 7,129 |
| 1987 | 132 | 80.3% | 2,408 | 5,810 | 6,942 |
| 1986 | 165 | 84.2% | 1,599 | 2,714 | 6,233 |
| 1982 | 151 | 86.8% | 4,382 | 5,980 | 6,285 |
How Long Does a Yamaha QT50 Last?
Based on 271 Yamaha QT50 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha QT50 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha QT50 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 QT50
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.8% MOT pass rate from 153 tests
79.0% MOT pass rate from 62 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha QT50 is 1991, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.8% across 153 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha QT50 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha QT50 THIS CAR | 85.2% | 1,263 | 4,970 mi | 44 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 90 4C Sw Dt Diesel | 73.1% | 562 | 130,730 mi | 37 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha QT50 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha QT50 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 QT50Should you buy a used Yamaha QT50?
The Yamaha QT50 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.2% across 1,263 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 QT50 are direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp (34 recorded failures), direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute (22), and direction indicators not working (21). 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 QT50 owner drives around 84 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 QT50 models stay on UK roads for around 44 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.