Yamaha TZR50 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha TZR50 car check
Is the Yamaha TZR50 reliable? We analysed 1,526 real MOT tests across 249 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha TZR50? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha TZR50 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, 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 TZR50.
Yamaha TZR50 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha TZR50. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha TZR50 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha TZR50 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha TZR50 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha TZR50 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha TZR50 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha TZR50 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha TZR50 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha TZR50 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 186 | 67.2% | 7,042 | 10,499 | 14,801 |
| 2004 | 583 | 63.8% | 6,247 | 9,860 | 13,924 |
| 2003 | 486 | 64.2% | 5,938 | 9,146 | 13,417 |
| 2002 | 60 | 58.3% | 13,257 | 22,006 | 27,320 |
| 2000 | 51 | 62.7% | 17,887 | 24,877 | 31,190 |
How Long Does a Yamaha TZR50 Last?
Based on 249 Yamaha TZR50 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha TZR50 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha TZR50 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 TZR50
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
67.2% MOT pass rate from 186 tests
58.3% MOT pass rate from 60 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha TZR50 is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 67.2% across 186 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 58.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha TZR50 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha TZR50 THIS CAR | 65.6% | 1,526 | 10,107 mi | 26 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 |
| Peugeot 508 Allure HDI | 84.7% | 613 | 97,815 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha TZR50 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha TZR50 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 TZR50Should you buy a used Yamaha TZR50?
The Yamaha TZR50 has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.6% across 1,526 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Yamaha TZR50 are reflector on motorcycle missing (84 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (75), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (66). 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 TZR50 owner drives around 919 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 TZR50 models stay on UK roads for around 26 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.