Yamaha Tzr Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Tzr car check
Is the Yamaha Tzr reliable? We analysed 1,396 real MOT tests across 297 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Tzr? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Tzr is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and direction indicator not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Tzr.
Yamaha Tzr Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Tzr. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Tzr MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Tzr to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Tzr Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Tzr fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Tzr Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Tzr owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Tzr MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Tzr year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 54 | 63.0% | 6,558 | 9,732 | 13,075 |
| 1992 | 127 | 79.5% | 14,214 | 22,325 | 29,094 |
| 1991 | 119 | 72.3% | 12,612 | 33,752 | 41,646 |
| 1990 | 262 | 74.4% | 17,505 | 23,704 | 30,068 |
| 1989 | 192 | 77.1% | 16,627 | 20,675 | 30,774 |
| 1988 | 128 | 77.3% | 17,905 | 23,946 | 32,151 |
| 1987 | 73 | 79.5% | 19,777 | 24,401 | 30,324 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Tzr Last?
Based on 297 Yamaha Tzr vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Tzr Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Tzr 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 Tzr
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.5% MOT pass rate from 73 tests
63.0% MOT pass rate from 54 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Tzr is 1987, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.5% across 73 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Tzr Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Tzr THIS CAR | 76.5% | 1,396 | 21,896 mi | 39 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 |
| Dax Cobra | 85.9% | 2,629 | 8,300 mi | 58 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Tzr trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Tzr 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 TzrShould you buy a used Yamaha Tzr?
The Yamaha Tzr has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.5% across 1,396 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 Tzr are reflector on motorcycle missing (35 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (34), and direction indicator not working (30). 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 Tzr owner drives around 434 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 Tzr models stay on UK roads for around 39 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.