Yamaha Radian Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Radian car check
Is the Yamaha Radian reliable? We analysed 958 real MOT tests across 114 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Radian? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Radian 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 indicator not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Radian.
Yamaha Radian Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Radian. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Radian MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Radian to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Radian Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Radian fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Radian Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Radian owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Radian MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Radian year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 104 | 85.6% | 10,105 | 19,029 | 25,716 |
| 1989 | 179 | 76.5% | 19,219 | 24,630 | 31,686 |
| 1987 | 158 | 84.2% | 17,616 | 22,967 | 29,236 |
| 1986 | 417 | 80.6% | 17,204 | 23,780 | 32,365 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Radian Last?
Based on 114 Yamaha Radian vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Radian Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Radian 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 Radian
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.6% MOT pass rate from 104 tests
76.5% MOT pass rate from 179 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Radian is 1990, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.6% across 104 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Radian Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Radian THIS CAR | 81.3% | 958 | 22,846 mi | 40 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 |
| Honda Nss 125 Ad-p | 90.4% | 301 | 16,099 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Radian trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Radian 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 RadianShould you buy a used Yamaha Radian?
The Yamaha Radian has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.3% across 958 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 Radian are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (12 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (8), and direction indicator not working (6). 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 Radian owner drives around 337 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 Radian models stay on UK roads for around 40 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.