Yamaha SR500 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha SR500 car check
Is the Yamaha SR500 reliable? We analysed 2,796 real MOT tests across 502 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha SR500? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha SR500 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, reflector on motorcycle missing and direction indicator not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha SR500.
Yamaha SR500 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha SR500. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha SR500 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha SR500 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha SR500 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha SR500 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha SR500 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha SR500 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha SR500 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha SR500 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 53 | 94.3% | 12,508 | 23,826 | 72,492 |
| 1998 | 69 | 82.6% | 23,771 | 26,274 | 41,913 |
| 1990 | 93 | 78.5% | 16,895 | 33,172 | 40,914 |
| 1983 | 129 | 82.9% | 7,971 | 19,069 | 30,684 |
| 1982 | 136 | 84.6% | 10,402 | 26,826 | 36,746 |
| 1981 | 443 | 81.3% | 18,862 | 33,981 | 46,494 |
| 1980 | 412 | 84.5% | 16,326 | 30,557 | 46,899 |
| 1979 | 526 | 86.3% | 13,109 | 26,887 | 43,146 |
| 1978 | 285 | 83.9% | 15,687 | 23,203 | 41,916 |
How Long Does a Yamaha SR500 Last?
Based on 502 Yamaha SR500 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha SR500 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha SR500 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 SR500
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.3% MOT pass rate from 53 tests
78.5% MOT pass rate from 93 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha SR500 is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.3% across 53 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha SR500 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha SR500 THIS CAR | 84.1% | 2,796 | 26,842 mi | 48 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 |
| Austin Mini Designer | 63% | 4,630 | 60,558 mi | 38 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha SR500 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha SR500 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 SR500Should you buy a used Yamaha SR500?
The Yamaha SR500 has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.1% across 2,796 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 SR500 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (21 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (20), and direction indicator not working (17). 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 SR500 owner drives around 298 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 SR500 models stay on UK roads for around 48 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.