Yamaha TDM850 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha TDM850 car check
Is the Yamaha TDM850 reliable? We analysed 22,526 real MOT tests across 2,062 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha TDM850? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha TDM850 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha TDM850.
Yamaha TDM850 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha TDM850. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha TDM850 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha TDM850 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha TDM850 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha TDM850 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha TDM850 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha TDM850 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha TDM850 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha TDM850 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 339 | 88.5% | 12,196 | 22,666 | 34,959 |
| 2002 | 529 | 86.8% | 15,422 | 22,477 | 38,944 |
| 2001 | 2,600 | 88.6% | 14,318 | 23,664 | 35,137 |
| 2000 | 2,900 | 86.3% | 16,345 | 24,779 | 36,065 |
| 1999 | 3,585 | 86.4% | 16,646 | 25,592 | 36,569 |
| 1998 | 2,861 | 85.1% | 18,110 | 27,149 | 37,365 |
| 1997 | 2,755 | 84.7% | 19,818 | 28,227 | 39,012 |
| 1996 | 2,059 | 84.1% | 20,182 | 29,185 | 40,114 |
| 1995 | 695 | 82.9% | 20,546 | 28,326 | 42,077 |
| 1994 | 815 | 79.6% | 23,388 | 32,318 | 40,586 |
| 1993 | 869 | 82.6% | 21,899 | 30,455 | 43,178 |
| 1992 | 865 | 80.6% | 28,529 | 38,114 | 50,168 |
| 1991 | 1,431 | 80.7% | 28,548 | 37,072 | 45,684 |
How Long Does a Yamaha TDM850 Last?
Based on 2,062 Yamaha TDM850 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha TDM850 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha TDM850 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 TDM850
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.6% MOT pass rate from 2,600 tests
79.6% MOT pass rate from 815 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha TDM850 is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.6% across 2,600 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha TDM850 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha TDM850 THIS CAR | 85.0% | 22,526 | 28,008 mi | 35 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 |
| MG C | 82.4% | 8,128 | 31,129 mi | 58 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha TDM850 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha TDM850 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 TDM850Should you buy a used Yamaha TDM850?
The Yamaha TDM850 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.0% across 22,526 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 TDM850 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (286 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (239), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (192). 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 TDM850 owner drives around 884 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 TDM850 models stay on UK roads for around 35 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.