Yamaha RD200 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha RD200 car check
Is the Yamaha RD200 reliable? We analysed 1,240 real MOT tests across 305 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha RD200? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha RD200 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include direction indicator not working, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha RD200.
Yamaha RD200 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha RD200. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha RD200 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha RD200 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha RD200 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha RD200 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha RD200 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha RD200 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha RD200 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha RD200 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 91 | 89.0% | 11,834 | 17,258 | 20,822 |
| 1981 | 137 | 89.1% | 11,309 | 14,880 | 21,413 |
| 1980 | 220 | 86.8% | 12,876 | 19,278 | 23,408 |
| 1979 | 171 | 87.1% | 8,638 | 16,676 | 23,244 |
| 1978 | 181 | 85.6% | 11,678 | 17,836 | 21,867 |
| 1977 | 120 | 80.8% | 12,304 | 16,580 | 24,332 |
| 1975 | 65 | 90.8% | 2,811 | 8,423 | 14,321 |
How Long Does a Yamaha RD200 Last?
Based on 305 Yamaha RD200 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha RD200 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha RD200 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 RD200
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.8% MOT pass rate from 65 tests
80.8% MOT pass rate from 120 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha RD200 is 1975, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.8% across 65 tests. The 1977 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha RD200 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha RD200 THIS CAR | 87.4% | 1,240 | 15,567 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 |
| Audi S5 TFSI QUATTRO Auto | 90.5% | 621 | 50,775 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha RD200 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha RD200 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 RD200Should you buy a used Yamaha RD200?
The Yamaha RD200 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.4% across 1,240 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 RD200 are direction indicator not working (8 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (6), and roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort (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 RD200 owner drives around 139 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 RD200 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.