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Yamaha YP400 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha YP400 car check

Is the Yamaha YP400 reliable? We analysed 5,190 real MOT tests across 496 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 5,190 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
87.3%
Typical Mileage
16,408mi
Annual Mileage
1,133mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
22yrs

The Yamaha YP400 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, 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 YP400.

Yamaha YP400 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha YP400. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha YP400 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha YP400 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

95.5%
2014
87%
2013
86.4%
2012
89.4%
2011
87%
2010
86.5%
2009
84%
2008
87.5%
2007
87.2%
2006
86.2%
2005
89.6%
2004

Yamaha YP400 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha YP400 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 94
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 81
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 49
Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 46
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 39
Brake disc(s) has excessive run out 21

Yamaha YP400 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha YP400 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 46
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 38

Yamaha YP400 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha YP400 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
383 mi/yr
Typical
1,133 mi/yr
Average
1,919 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,513 mi/yr

Yamaha YP400 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha YP400 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2014 88 95.5% 3,060 6,449 10,456
2013 246 87.0% 9,444 13,148 19,450
2012 257 86.4% 9,695 15,555 21,767
2011 265 89.4% 7,831 13,701 22,315
2010 409 87.0% 8,334 14,985 22,726
2009 288 86.5% 10,598 16,544 24,323
2008 618 84.0% 11,110 18,926 28,615
2007 495 87.5% 9,991 14,773 24,998
2006 594 87.2% 13,087 21,005 31,792
2005 923 86.2% 10,084 16,771 27,134
2004 942 89.6% 10,514 17,956 28,310

How Long Does a Yamaha YP400 Last?

Based on 496 Yamaha YP400 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.5 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
22 years

Yamaha YP400 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha YP400 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
16,408 mi
75th Percentile
25,920 mi
95th Percentile
42,879 mi
Max Recorded
167,208 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha YP400

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

Best year
2014

95.5% MOT pass rate from 88 tests

Year to avoid
2008

84.0% MOT pass rate from 618 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha YP400 is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.5% across 88 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha YP400 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha YP400 THIS CAR 87.3% 5,190 16,408 mi 22 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
Renault Clio Dynamique 16V 75.2% 5,342 89,273 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha YP400 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha YP400?

The Yamaha YP400 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.3% across 5,190 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 YP400 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (94 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (81), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (49). 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 tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Yamaha YP400 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 YP400 owner drives around 1,133 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 YP400 models stay on UK roads for around 22 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 YP400 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha YP400 reliable?
Based on 5,190 MOT tests, the Yamaha YP400 has a 87.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha YP400?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha YP400 do per year?
The typical Yamaha YP400 does around 1,133 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha YP400 last?
Most Yamaha YP400 models stay on UK roads for around 22 years based on our analysis of 496 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha YP400?
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 YP400?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha YP400 is 2014 with a 95.5% pass rate across 88 tests.