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Yamaha TRX850 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha TRX850 car check

Is the Yamaha TRX850 reliable? We analysed 10,066 real MOT tests across 998 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 10,066 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
85.1%
Typical Mileage
24,541mi
Annual Mileage
661mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
30yrs

The Yamaha TRX850 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, roller brake test indicates a binding brake and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha TRX850.

Yamaha TRX850 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha TRX850. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha TRX850 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha TRX850 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

82.2%
2003
85.7%
2002
83%
2001
88.9%
2000
85.8%
1999
84.4%
1998
84.3%
1997
85.6%
1996
77.8%
1995

Yamaha TRX850 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha TRX850 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 106
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 69
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 68
reflector on motorcycle missing 58
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 52
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 45
wheel bearings have excessive free play 45
Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 36
Tyre valve stem damaged which could cause sudden tyre deflation 32
wheel bearings are excessively rough 31

Yamaha TRX850 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha TRX850 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
205 mi/yr
Typical
661 mi/yr
Average
1,316 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,561 mi/yr

Yamaha TRX850 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha TRX850 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 73 82.2% 19,926 39,448 51,293
2002 105 85.7% 11,304 18,612 27,697
2001 112 83.0% 10,565 21,097 28,843
2000 594 88.9% 14,772 19,751 28,683
1999 1,367 85.8% 14,355 21,012 28,997
1998 1,330 84.4% 16,753 26,871 38,655
1997 3,897 84.3% 16,533 24,998 35,538
1996 2,475 85.6% 18,110 27,211 40,585
1995 72 77.8% 3,895 19,086 42,479

How Long Does a Yamaha TRX850 Last?

Based on 998 Yamaha TRX850 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
20.1 years
Median
22.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
30 years

Yamaha TRX850 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha TRX850 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
24,541 mi
75th Percentile
36,013 mi
95th Percentile
59,073 mi
Max Recorded
527,731 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha TRX850

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

Best year
2000

88.9% MOT pass rate from 594 tests

Year to avoid
1995

77.8% MOT pass rate from 72 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha TRX850 is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.9% across 594 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha TRX850 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha TRX850 THIS CAR 85.1% 10,066 24,541 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
Morris Minor Traveller 72.3% 11,365 47,651 mi 72 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha TRX850 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha TRX850?

The Yamaha TRX850 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.1% across 10,066 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 TRX850 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (106 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates a binding brake (69), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (68). 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 TRX850 owner drives around 661 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 TRX850 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 TRX850 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha TRX850 reliable?
Based on 10,066 MOT tests, the Yamaha TRX850 has a 85.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha TRX850?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, roller brake test indicates a binding brake, and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha TRX850 do per year?
The typical Yamaha TRX850 does around 661 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha TRX850 last?
Most Yamaha TRX850 models stay on UK roads for around 30 years based on our analysis of 998 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha TRX850?
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 TRX850?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha TRX850 is 2000 with a 88.9% pass rate across 594 tests.