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Yamaha YB100 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha YB100 car check

Is the Yamaha YB100 reliable? We analysed 3,113 real MOT tests across 600 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,113 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
78.4%
Typical Mileage
16,512mi
Annual Mileage
185mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
50yrs

The Yamaha YB100 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and direction indicators not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha YB100.

Yamaha YB100 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha YB100. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha YB100 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha YB100 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

81.6%
1994
71.4%
1993
78.8%
1992
78.5%
1991
80%
1990
76.9%
1989
73.3%
1988
74.8%
1987
75%
1986
79.7%
1985
80.9%
1984
77.9%
1983
76.2%
1982
80.2%
1981
80.2%
1980
89.1%
1976

Yamaha YB100 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha YB100 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 98
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 82
Direction indicators not working 66
reflector on motorcycle missing 54
Horn not working 47
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user 45
Direction indicator not working 42
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 36
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 34
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on 28

Yamaha YB100 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha YB100 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
46 mi/yr
Typical
185 mi/yr
Average
625 mi/yr
Heavy usage
592 mi/yr

Yamaha YB100 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha YB100 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1994 87 81.6% 10,724 14,732 17,368
1993 98 71.4% 8,757 13,283 14,477
1992 160 78.8% 8,705 14,686 20,358
1991 289 78.5% 9,254 13,028 20,496
1990 456 80.0% 11,658 17,344 27,869
1989 364 76.9% 14,217 20,966 27,237
1988 262 73.3% 12,833 19,928 26,326
1987 214 74.8% 12,562 16,544 25,187
1986 128 75.0% 15,539 21,440 24,740
1985 128 79.7% 15,710 19,988 24,717
1984 115 80.9% 10,180 19,257 31,648
1983 145 77.9% 11,973 18,915 21,606
1982 151 76.2% 8,305 11,413 21,744
1981 106 80.2% 10,689 12,966 15,015
1980 106 80.2% 9,611 18,398 26,896
1976 64 89.1% 6,577 9,146 19,361

How Long Does a Yamaha YB100 Last?

Based on 600 Yamaha YB100 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
26.7 years
Median
26.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
50 years

Yamaha YB100 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha YB100 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
16,512 mi
75th Percentile
24,157 mi
95th Percentile
34,641 mi
Max Recorded
400,362 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha YB100

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

Best year
1976

89.1% MOT pass rate from 64 tests

Year to avoid
1993

71.4% MOT pass rate from 98 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha YB100 is 1976, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.1% across 64 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha YB100 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha YB100 THIS CAR 78.4% 3,113 16,512 mi 50 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
Mercedes-benz Glc 300 AMG Line De 4MATIC A 90.6% 1,196 40,662 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha YB100 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha YB100?

The Yamaha YB100 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.4% across 3,113 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 YB100 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (98 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (82), and direction indicators not working (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 YB100 owner drives around 185 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 YB100 models stay on UK roads for around 50 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 YB100 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha YB100 reliable?
Based on 3,113 MOT tests, the Yamaha YB100 has a 78.4% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha YB100?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and direction indicators not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha YB100 do per year?
The typical Yamaha YB100 does around 185 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha YB100 last?
Most Yamaha YB100 models stay on UK roads for around 50 years based on our analysis of 600 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha YB100?
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 YB100?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha YB100 is 1976 with a 89.1% pass rate across 64 tests.