Yamaha Yzf Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Yzf car check
Is the Yamaha Yzf reliable? We analysed 78,811 real MOT tests across 11,091 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Yzf? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Yzf is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, reflector on motorcycle missing and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Yzf.
Yamaha Yzf Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Yzf. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Yzf MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Yzf to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Yzf Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Yzf fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Yzf Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha Yzf models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Yamaha Yzf Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Yzf owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Yzf MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Yzf year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 99 | 79.8% | 5,147 | 8,158 | 11,792 |
| 2017 | 555 | 84.7% | 5,604 | 10,436 | 17,894 |
| 2016 | 6,437 | 81.0% | 5,948 | 10,591 | 17,654 |
| 2015 | 7,004 | 79.1% | 6,495 | 11,965 | 19,196 |
| 2014 | 7,275 | 76.1% | 8,114 | 13,615 | 20,694 |
| 2013 | 7,281 | 74.1% | 8,349 | 14,115 | 21,300 |
| 2012 | 5,989 | 74.3% | 8,242 | 13,858 | 21,018 |
| 2011 | 5,910 | 73.9% | 8,752 | 14,586 | 22,204 |
| 2010 | 7,287 | 73.8% | 8,612 | 14,530 | 22,232 |
| 2009 | 8,724 | 73.4% | 8,993 | 14,918 | 22,184 |
| 2008 | 7,846 | 73.1% | 8,700 | 14,524 | 22,072 |
| 2007 | 128 | 83.6% | 7,548 | 13,274 | 21,592 |
| 2006 | 117 | 83.8% | 5,970 | 13,557 | 20,913 |
| 2005 | 407 | 86.2% | 8,614 | 15,826 | 24,475 |
| 2004 | 667 | 84.6% | 9,748 | 16,545 | 25,330 |
| 2003 | 221 | 85.5% | 3,028 | 10,142 | 12,884 |
| 2002 | 251 | 82.1% | 10,202 | 16,513 | 26,926 |
| 2001 | 1,320 | 86.1% | 11,039 | 17,306 | 26,392 |
| 2000 | 2,778 | 83.2% | 12,540 | 19,203 | 26,354 |
| 1999 | 3,288 | 84.6% | 14,648 | 20,680 | 29,544 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Yzf Last?
Based on 11,091 Yamaha Yzf vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Yzf Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Yzf 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 Yzf
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.3% MOT pass rate from 2,665 tests
73.1% MOT pass rate from 7,846 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Yzf is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.3% across 2,665 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Yzf Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Yzf THIS CAR | 77.0% | 78,811 | 14,825 mi | 30 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 |
| Honda Cbf | 82.1% | 44,400 | 11,010 mi | 20 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Yzf trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Yzf 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 YzfShould you buy a used Yamaha Yzf?
The Yamaha Yzf has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.0% across 78,811 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 Yzf are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1,185 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (978), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (951). 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 brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Yamaha Yzf 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 Yzf owner drives around 1,457 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 Yzf models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.