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Yamaha YFZ350 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha YFZ350 car check

Is the Yamaha YFZ350 reliable? We analysed 527 real MOT tests across 239 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 527 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
93.0%
Typical Mileage
185mi
Annual Mileage
mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
24yrs

The Yamaha YFZ350 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake not fitted on at least two wheels, registration plate lamp not fitted and suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha YFZ350.

Yamaha YFZ350 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha YFZ350. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha YFZ350 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha YFZ350 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

97%
2006
88%
2004
87.1%
2002

Yamaha YFZ350 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha YFZ350 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Parking brake not fitted on at least two wheels 3
Registration plate lamp not fitted 2
Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush 2
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 2
wheel bearing has excessive play 2
wheel bearing rough when rotated 2

Yamaha YFZ350 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha YFZ350 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value 6

Yamaha YFZ350 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha YFZ350 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2006 67 97.0% 20 326 720
2004 50 88.0% 4 8 609
2002 70 87.1% 164 445 694

How Long Does a Yamaha YFZ350 Last?

Based on 239 Yamaha YFZ350 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
19.8 years
Median
19.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
24 years

Yamaha YFZ350 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha YFZ350 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
185 mi
75th Percentile
806 mi
95th Percentile
5,360 mi
Max Recorded
38,668 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha YFZ350

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

Best year
2006

97.0% MOT pass rate from 67 tests

Year to avoid
2002

87.1% MOT pass rate from 70 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha YFZ350 is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 97.0% across 67 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 87.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha YFZ350 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha YFZ350 THIS CAR 93.0% 527 185 mi 24 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
Megelli 125 M 61% 397 5,322 mi 18 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha YFZ350 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha YFZ350?

The Yamaha YFZ350 has an overall MOT pass rate of 93.0% across 527 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 YFZ350 are parking brake not fitted on at least two wheels (3 recorded failures), registration plate lamp not fitted (2), and suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2). 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.

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 YFZ350 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

In terms of longevity, most Yamaha YFZ350 models stay on UK roads for around 24 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 YFZ350 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha YFZ350 reliable?
Based on 527 MOT tests, the Yamaha YFZ350 has a 93.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha YFZ350?
The most common MOT failures are parking brake not fitted on at least two wheels, registration plate lamp not fitted, and suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha YFZ350 do per year?
Mileage data is not yet available for this model.
How long does a Yamaha YFZ350 last?
Most Yamaha YFZ350 models stay on UK roads for around 24 years based on our analysis of 239 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha YFZ350?
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 YFZ350?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha YFZ350 is 2006 with a 97.0% pass rate across 67 tests.