Yamaha RD350LC Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha RD350LC car check
Is the Yamaha RD350LC reliable? We analysed 1,951 real MOT tests across 307 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha RD350LC? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha RD350LC 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 position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha RD350LC.
Yamaha RD350LC Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha RD350LC. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha RD350LC MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha RD350LC to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha RD350LC Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha RD350LC fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha RD350LC Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha RD350LC owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha RD350LC MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha RD350LC year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 51 | 90.2% | 18,372 | 26,407 | 37,254 |
| 1986 | 72 | 90.3% | 16,698 | 21,845 | 26,241 |
| 1985 | 60 | 81.7% | 1,999 | 11,101 | 25,918 |
| 1984 | 91 | 84.6% | 18,098 | 22,158 | 29,168 |
| 1983 | 181 | 90.6% | 23,369 | 26,610 | 33,373 |
| 1982 | 266 | 88.3% | 10,408 | 22,484 | 33,378 |
| 1981 | 586 | 85.7% | 16,648 | 25,837 | 37,456 |
| 1980 | 265 | 86.8% | 20,592 | 28,034 | 38,480 |
How Long Does a Yamaha RD350LC Last?
Based on 307 Yamaha RD350LC vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha RD350LC Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha RD350LC 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 RD350LC
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.6% MOT pass rate from 181 tests
81.7% MOT pass rate from 60 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha RD350LC is 1983, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.6% across 181 tests. The 1985 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha RD350LC Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha RD350LC THIS CAR | 87.2% | 1,951 | 24,532 mi | 46 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 |
| Ford Tourneo Cust 320TNIUM PHEV CVT | 89.3% | 590 | 27,440 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha RD350LC outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha RD350LC 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 RD350LCShould you buy a used Yamaha RD350LC?
The Yamaha RD350LC has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.2% across 1,951 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 RD350LC are reflector on motorcycle missing (19 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (13), and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (11). 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 RD350LC owner drives around 181 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 RD350LC models stay on UK roads for around 46 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.