Yamaha YQ50 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha YQ50 car check
Is the Yamaha YQ50 reliable? We analysed 34,454 real MOT tests across 6,064 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha YQ50? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha YQ50 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha YQ50.
Yamaha YQ50 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha YQ50. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha YQ50 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha YQ50 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha YQ50 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha YQ50 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha YQ50 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha YQ50 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha YQ50 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha YQ50 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 83 | 68.7% | 10,962 | 14,716 | 19,350 |
| 2014 | 212 | 74.5% | 8,106 | 11,498 | 17,747 |
| 2013 | 568 | 73.6% | 8,792 | 13,543 | 19,629 |
| 2012 | 1,516 | 72.9% | 9,103 | 14,810 | 20,570 |
| 2011 | 1,207 | 71.7% | 9,116 | 14,351 | 20,715 |
| 2010 | 2,362 | 70.9% | 9,077 | 14,604 | 21,082 |
| 2009 | 2,742 | 70.1% | 10,245 | 15,378 | 21,374 |
| 2008 | 2,377 | 70.9% | 9,710 | 15,224 | 21,277 |
| 2007 | 2,071 | 69.2% | 10,030 | 15,662 | 22,209 |
| 2006 | 2,730 | 67.5% | 9,737 | 16,236 | 23,002 |
| 2005 | 3,080 | 68.4% | 8,019 | 13,564 | 19,965 |
| 2004 | 3,885 | 67.5% | 7,193 | 11,272 | 15,914 |
| 2003 | 3,082 | 67.8% | 6,525 | 10,117 | 14,891 |
| 2002 | 3,132 | 66.8% | 6,698 | 10,309 | 14,664 |
| 2001 | 2,403 | 67.8% | 6,846 | 11,005 | 15,527 |
| 2000 | 1,833 | 69.0% | 6,666 | 10,710 | 15,967 |
| 1999 | 693 | 70.4% | 5,272 | 9,184 | 13,598 |
| 1998 | 431 | 69.4% | 4,482 | 8,874 | 12,847 |
How Long Does a Yamaha YQ50 Last?
Based on 6,064 Yamaha YQ50 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha YQ50 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha YQ50 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 YQ50
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
74.5% MOT pass rate from 212 tests
66.8% MOT pass rate from 3,132 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha YQ50 is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.5% across 212 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha YQ50 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha YQ50 THIS CAR | 69.0% | 34,454 | 12,688 mi | 28 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 |
| Kia Stinger | 89.5% | 11,171 | 32,841 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha YQ50 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha YQ50 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 YQ50Should you buy a used Yamaha YQ50?
The Yamaha YQ50 has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.0% across 34,454 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Yamaha YQ50 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (2,796 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (2,372), and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (1,307). 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 YQ50 owner drives around 1,434 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 YQ50 models stay on UK roads for around 28 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.