Yamaha Tenere Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Tenere car check
Is the Yamaha Tenere reliable? We analysed 925 real MOT tests across 109 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Tenere? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Tenere is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and suspension bush has excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Tenere.
Yamaha Tenere Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Tenere. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Tenere MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Tenere to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Tenere Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Tenere fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Tenere Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Tenere owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Tenere MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Tenere year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 94 | 89.4% | 9,656 | 13,774 | 22,344 |
| 1997 | 64 | 82.8% | 28,655 | 41,199 | 48,443 |
| 1995 | 74 | 75.7% | 20,238 | 30,648 | 47,416 |
| 1993 | 92 | 77.2% | 24,233 | 29,887 | 41,830 |
| 1990 | 80 | 80.0% | 29,613 | 34,781 | 38,642 |
| 1989 | 71 | 81.7% | 29,972 | 39,635 | 50,998 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Tenere Last?
Based on 109 Yamaha Tenere vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Tenere Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Tenere 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 Tenere
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.4% MOT pass rate from 94 tests
75.7% MOT pass rate from 74 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Tenere is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.4% across 94 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Tenere Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Tenere THIS CAR | 81.6% | 925 | 33,061 mi | 37 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 |
| Fiat Mobilvetta | 86.5% | 712 | 15,680 mi | 27 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Tenere trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Tenere 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 TenereShould you buy a used Yamaha Tenere?
The Yamaha Tenere has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.6% across 925 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 Tenere are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (18 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (12), and suspension bush has excessive free play (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 Tenere owner drives around 800 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 Tenere models stay on UK roads for around 37 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.