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Yamaha Unknown Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha Unknown car check

Is the Yamaha Unknown reliable? We analysed 20,218 real MOT tests across 8,531 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 20,218 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
86.8%
Typical Mileage
10,498mi
Annual Mileage
257mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
52yrs

The Yamaha Unknown is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Unknown.

Yamaha Unknown Number Plates

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

Yamaha Unknown MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

93.9%
2022
94.3%
2021
92.4%
2020
90.9%
2019
92.9%
2018
91.6%
2017
91.2%
2016
90.1%
2015
89.4%
2014
86.7%
2013
87.3%
2012
85.4%
2011
87.1%
2010
90.6%
2009
89.1%
2008
87.8%
2007
91.2%
2006
91.7%
2005
88.6%
2004
86.4%
2003

Yamaha Unknown Common Faults & Problems

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

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value 49

Yamaha Unknown Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
73 mi/yr
Typical
257 mi/yr
Average
772 mi/yr
Heavy usage
702 mi/yr

Yamaha Unknown MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2022 196 93.9% 742 1,524 3,318
2021 230 94.3% 775 1,582 2,675
2020 353 92.4% 980 2,185 4,361
2019 363 90.9% 1,392 2,964 6,171
2018 467 92.9% 1,144 2,772 4,790
2017 766 91.6% 1,306 3,500 7,373
2016 852 91.2% 1,609 3,218 7,526
2015 767 90.1% 1,383 2,951 5,293
2014 689 89.4% 1,244 2,749 5,359
2013 430 86.7% 1,861 3,467 6,626
2012 237 87.3% 1,021 4,212 10,013
2011 185 85.4% 1,910 6,144 9,884
2010 155 87.1% 1,854 5,338 9,569
2009 171 90.6% 2,522 6,400 14,754
2008 357 89.1% 1,178 2,904 6,861
2007 312 87.8% 1,285 2,723 12,878
2006 354 91.2% 573 1,466 3,721
2005 120 91.7% 1,439 4,135 13,030
2004 149 88.6% 784 3,298 7,956
2003 154 86.4% 1,106 7,676 22,829

How Long Does a Yamaha Unknown Last?

Based on 8,531 Yamaha Unknown vehicles on UK roads.

Average
26.1 years
Median
31.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
52 years

Yamaha Unknown Mileage Distribution

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

Median
10,498 mi
75th Percentile
23,203 mi
95th Percentile
43,127 mi
Max Recorded
373,265 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Unknown

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

Best year
2021

94.3% MOT pass rate from 230 tests

Year to avoid
1992

80.1% MOT pass rate from 629 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha Unknown is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.3% across 230 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha Unknown Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha Unknown THIS CAR 86.8% 20,218 10,498 mi 52 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
Skoda Scala 89.4% 28,430 27,964 mi — yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Yamaha Unknown?

The Yamaha Unknown has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.8% across 20,218 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Yamaha Unknown 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 Unknown owner drives around 257 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 Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 52 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 Unknown — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha Unknown reliable?
Based on 20,218 MOT tests, the Yamaha Unknown has a 86.8% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha Unknown?
The most common failure point is general wear and tear.
How many miles does a Yamaha Unknown do per year?
The typical Yamaha Unknown does around 257 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha Unknown last?
Most Yamaha Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 52 years based on our analysis of 8,531 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha Unknown?
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 Unknown?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha Unknown is 2021 with a 94.3% pass rate across 230 tests.