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Yamaha TDM900 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha TDM900 car check

Is the Yamaha TDM900 reliable? We analysed 25,146 real MOT tests across 1,871 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 25,146 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
90.3%
Typical Mileage
24,048mi
Annual Mileage
1,452mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
24yrs

The Yamaha TDM900 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha TDM900.

Yamaha TDM900 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha TDM900. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha TDM900 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha TDM900 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

96.1%
2014
93.3%
2013
92.6%
2012
90.2%
2011
91.3%
2010
90.8%
2009
92.2%
2008
91.3%
2007
89.1%
2006
89.2%
2005
91.2%
2004
89.3%
2003
90.5%
2002

Yamaha TDM900 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha TDM900 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 271
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 204
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 106
Brake pad(s) (sintered type) less than 1.0mm thick 60
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 59
Tyre valve stem damaged which could cause sudden tyre deflation 47
Drive chain excessively loose 44

Yamaha TDM900 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha TDM900 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 93
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 76

Yamaha TDM900 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha TDM900 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
520 mi/yr
Typical
1,452 mi/yr
Average
2,371 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,091 mi/yr

Yamaha TDM900 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha TDM900 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2014 51 96.1% 10,534 17,089 27,239
2013 430 93.3% 10,605 16,930 25,379
2012 379 92.6% 7,884 18,206 29,002
2011 193 90.2% 13,938 22,530 31,656
2010 540 91.3% 9,486 16,320 27,936
2009 835 90.8% 13,224 21,753 34,202
2008 1,390 92.2% 12,842 23,358 34,361
2007 1,870 91.3% 12,876 21,522 31,167
2006 1,665 89.1% 14,829 25,527 38,154
2005 2,511 89.2% 13,564 24,640 39,315
2004 4,566 91.2% 14,134 24,198 36,376
2003 6,317 89.3% 14,500 25,629 40,142
2002 4,268 90.5% 15,149 25,411 37,848

How Long Does a Yamaha TDM900 Last?

Based on 1,871 Yamaha TDM900 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
15.8 years
Median
17.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
24 years

Yamaha TDM900 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha TDM900 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
24,048 mi
75th Percentile
37,034 mi
95th Percentile
63,993 mi
Max Recorded
501,118 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha TDM900

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

Best year
2014

96.1% MOT pass rate from 51 tests

Year to avoid
2006

89.1% MOT pass rate from 1,665 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha TDM900 is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.1% across 51 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 89.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha TDM900 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha TDM900 THIS CAR 90.3% 25,146 24,048 mi 24 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 Popular 86.5% 8,935 41,000 mi 90 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha TDM900 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha TDM900?

The Yamaha TDM900 has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.3% across 25,146 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 TDM900 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (271 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (204), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (106). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Yamaha TDM900 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Yamaha TDM900 owner drives around 1,452 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 TDM900 models stay on UK roads for around 24 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 TDM900 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha TDM900 reliable?
Based on 25,146 MOT tests, the Yamaha TDM900 has a 90.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha TDM900?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha TDM900 do per year?
The typical Yamaha TDM900 does around 1,452 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha TDM900 last?
Most Yamaha TDM900 models stay on UK roads for around 24 years based on our analysis of 1,871 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha TDM900?
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 TDM900?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha TDM900 is 2014 with a 96.1% pass rate across 51 tests.