Yamaha RD350 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha RD350 car check
Is the Yamaha RD350 reliable? We analysed 22,191 real MOT tests across 4,070 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha RD350? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha RD350 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha RD350.
Yamaha RD350 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha RD350. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha RD350 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha RD350 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha RD350 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha RD350 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha RD350 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha RD350 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha RD350 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha RD350 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 75 | 90.7% | 17,605 | 22,897 | 40,444 |
| 2020 | 90 | 90.0% | 12,250 | 14,009 | 26,080 |
| 2019 | 117 | 92.3% | 6,450 | 15,252 | 27,974 |
| 2018 | 150 | 88.0% | 13,386 | 27,864 | 37,575 |
| 2017 | 330 | 90.9% | 10,429 | 20,210 | 32,371 |
| 2016 | 210 | 90.0% | 14,191 | 21,976 | 32,097 |
| 2015 | 172 | 88.4% | 10,230 | 18,749 | 29,290 |
| 2014 | 132 | 90.2% | 12,736 | 20,098 | 34,934 |
| 2013 | 172 | 84.3% | 8,878 | 17,307 | 31,846 |
| 2012 | 146 | 88.4% | 12,727 | 22,566 | 33,298 |
| 2011 | 67 | 88.1% | 7,560 | 15,154 | 31,134 |
| 2010 | 65 | 87.7% | 16,123 | 20,123 | 36,085 |
| 2009 | 63 | 92.1% | 10,072 | 21,846 | 27,824 |
| 2008 | 98 | 89.8% | 8,248 | 15,088 | 32,054 |
| 2007 | 50 | 84.0% | 9,444 | 14,376 | 17,791 |
| 2006 | 69 | 85.5% | 13,441 | 22,830 | 43,316 |
| 2000 | 91 | 90.1% | 8,106 | 14,560 | 30,203 |
| 1999 | 60 | 96.7% | 2,270 | 12,488 | 21,733 |
| 1997 | 55 | 85.5% | 10,747 | 12,869 | 21,768 |
| 1995 | 361 | 86.7% | 10,064 | 15,777 | 21,462 |
How Long Does a Yamaha RD350 Last?
Based on 4,070 Yamaha RD350 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha RD350 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha RD350 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 RD350
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
96.7% MOT pass rate from 60 tests
84.0% MOT pass rate from 799 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha RD350 is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.7% across 60 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha RD350 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha RD350 THIS CAR | 87.9% | 22,191 | 23,349 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 |
| Mercedes Ml 250 | 81.3% | 7,460 | 78,586 mi | 20 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha RD350 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha RD350 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 RD350Should you buy a used Yamaha RD350?
The Yamaha RD350 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.9% across 22,191 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 RD350 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (125 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (118), and reflector on motorcycle missing (117). 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 RD350 owner drives around 184 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 RD350 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.