Yamaha Yz Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Yz car check
Is the Yamaha Yz reliable? We analysed 2,183 real MOT tests across 739 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Yz? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Yz is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Yz.
Yamaha Yz Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Yz. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Yz MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Yz to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Yz Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Yz fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Yz Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Yz owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Yz MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Yz year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 67 | 88.1% | 659 | 1,002 | 1,671 |
| 2020 | 120 | 75.8% | 2 | 122 | 343 |
| 2019 | 142 | 85.9% | 34 | 97 | 503 |
| 2018 | 106 | 82.1% | 19 | 561 | 803 |
| 2017 | 125 | 86.4% | 280 | 704 | 1,856 |
| 2016 | 84 | 86.9% | — | — | — |
| 2015 | 95 | 81.1% | 237 | 245 | 476 |
| 2014 | 55 | 87.3% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 2013 | 67 | 80.6% | 98 | 298 | 12,810 |
| 2008 | 58 | 79.3% | 125 | 1,583 | 1,850 |
| 2007 | 100 | 84.0% | 417 | 641 | 7,120 |
| 2006 | 122 | 86.9% | 57 | 272 | 688 |
| 2005 | 112 | 88.4% | 101 | 186 | 1,050 |
| 2004 | 153 | 81.0% | 26 | 754 | 1,293 |
| 2003 | 98 | 82.7% | 8,225 | 13,011 | 13,690 |
| 2002 | 83 | 84.3% | 1,103 | 6,288 | 9,939 |
| 2001 | 82 | 86.6% | 112 | 225 | 526 |
| 2000 | 56 | 83.9% | 5 | 21 | 877 |
| 1999 | 60 | 85.0% | 788 | 788 | 788 |
| 1998 | 64 | 78.1% | 2,286 | 35,440 | 43,858 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Yz Last?
Based on 739 Yamaha Yz vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Yz Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Yz 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 Yz
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.4% MOT pass rate from 112 tests
75.8% MOT pass rate from 120 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Yz is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.4% across 112 tests. The 2020 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Yz Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Yz THIS CAR | 83.7% | 2,183 | 680 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 |
| Triumph 5TA | 91.7% | 1,474 | 9,158 mi | 67 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Yz trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Yz 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 YzShould you buy a used Yamaha Yz?
The Yamaha Yz has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.7% across 2,183 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common failure point is shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil with 10 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.
A typical Yamaha Yz owner drives around 163 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 Yz 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.