Yamaha Rd Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Rd car check
Is the Yamaha Rd reliable? We analysed 2,514 real MOT tests across 385 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Rd? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Rd is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Rd.
Yamaha Rd Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Rd. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Rd MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Rd to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Rd Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Rd fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Rd Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Rd owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Rd MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Rd year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 56 | 82.1% | 15,890 | 19,011 | 23,912 |
| 1989 | 71 | 85.9% | 11,508 | 23,254 | 33,745 |
| 1988 | 63 | 93.7% | 16,239 | 20,868 | 40,550 |
| 1987 | 72 | 79.2% | 10,984 | 23,977 | 34,986 |
| 1986 | 137 | 89.8% | 17,503 | 21,641 | 28,450 |
| 1985 | 122 | 82.0% | 15,741 | 27,945 | 34,169 |
| 1984 | 187 | 89.8% | 7,468 | 13,232 | 23,195 |
| 1983 | 153 | 86.9% | 12,942 | 20,807 | 26,714 |
| 1982 | 142 | 87.3% | 17,966 | 25,572 | 35,992 |
| 1981 | 383 | 88.5% | 17,898 | 26,652 | 33,457 |
| 1980 | 305 | 90.5% | 12,607 | 25,179 | 38,882 |
| 1979 | 180 | 88.3% | 16,206 | 19,347 | 23,169 |
| 1978 | 163 | 86.5% | 9,934 | 18,570 | 23,284 |
| 1977 | 88 | 80.7% | 8,292 | 24,349 | 25,917 |
| 1975 | 56 | 91.1% | 5,123 | 13,057 | 26,281 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Rd Last?
Based on 385 Yamaha Rd vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Rd Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Rd 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 Rd
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.7% MOT pass rate from 63 tests
79.2% MOT pass rate from 72 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Rd is 1988, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.7% across 63 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Rd Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Rd THIS CAR | 87.7% | 2,514 | 21,677 mi | 51 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 |
| Ccm Dual Sport | 81.5% | 2,820 | 6,746 mi | 24 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Rd outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Rd 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 RdShould you buy a used Yamaha Rd?
The Yamaha Rd has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.7% across 2,514 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 Rd are reflector on motorcycle missing (15 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (15), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (14). 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 Rd owner drives around 199 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 Rd models stay on UK roads for around 51 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.