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Yamaha SZR660 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha SZR660 car check

Is the Yamaha SZR660 reliable? We analysed 1,525 real MOT tests across 243 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,525 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
82.0%
Typical Mileage
15,290mi
Annual Mileage
443mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
30yrs

The Yamaha SZR660 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha SZR660.

Yamaha SZR660 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha SZR660. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha SZR660 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha SZR660 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

81.6%
1998
82.2%
1997
80.5%
1996

Yamaha SZR660 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha SZR660 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 40
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 21
reflector on motorcycle missing 19
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 16
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 15
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 13
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside 10
Headlamp aim too high 9
Steering control has Insufficient clearance at full lock affecting the riders grasp of handlebars 9
Horn not working 8

Yamaha SZR660 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha SZR660 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
122 mi/yr
Typical
443 mi/yr
Average
906 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,099 mi/yr

Yamaha SZR660 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha SZR660 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1998 309 81.6% 10,812 15,969 21,604
1997 776 82.2% 9,727 15,755 20,826
1996 298 80.5% 10,230 14,580 18,519

How Long Does a Yamaha SZR660 Last?

Based on 243 Yamaha SZR660 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
16.8 years
Median
16.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
30 years

Yamaha SZR660 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha SZR660 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
15,290 mi
75th Percentile
20,495 mi
95th Percentile
30,916 mi
Max Recorded
127,832 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha SZR660

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1997

82.2% MOT pass rate from 776 tests

Year to avoid
1996

80.5% MOT pass rate from 298 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha SZR660 is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.2% across 776 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha SZR660 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha SZR660 THIS CAR 82.0% 1,525 15,290 mi 30 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
Ducati Supersport 89.4% 2,626 10,852 mi 36 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha SZR660 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha SZR660?

The Yamaha SZR660 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.0% across 1,525 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 SZR660 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (40 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (21), and reflector on motorcycle missing (19). 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 SZR660 owner drives around 443 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 SZR660 models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.

Yamaha SZR660 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha SZR660 reliable?
Based on 1,525 MOT tests, the Yamaha SZR660 has a 82.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha SZR660?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and reflector on motorcycle missing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha SZR660 do per year?
The typical Yamaha SZR660 does around 443 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha SZR660 last?
Most Yamaha SZR660 models stay on UK roads for around 30 years based on our analysis of 243 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha SZR660?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Yamaha SZR660?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha SZR660 is 1997 with a 82.2% pass rate across 776 tests.