CarVerify

Yamaha Yzf R1 09 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha Yzf R1 09 car check

Is the Yamaha Yzf R1 09 reliable? We analysed 2,214 real MOT tests across 316 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Yamaha Yzf R1 09? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 2,214 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
88.2%
Typical Mileage
10,990mi
Annual Mileage
909mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
17yrs

The Yamaha Yzf R1 09 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, reflector on motorcycle missing and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Yzf R1 09.

Yamaha Yzf R1 09 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha Yzf R1 09. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha Yzf R1 09 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha Yzf R1 09 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

85.5%
2011
89.3%
2010
88.1%
2009

Yamaha Yzf R1 09 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha Yzf R1 09 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 18
reflector on motorcycle missing 16
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 10
Registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height 7
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 5
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 4

Yamaha Yzf R1 09 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha Yzf R1 09 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 9

Yamaha Yzf R1 09 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha Yzf R1 09 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
315 mi/yr
Typical
909 mi/yr
Average
1,438 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,936 mi/yr

Yamaha Yzf R1 09 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Yzf R1 09 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2011 117 85.5% 5,800 9,750 13,136
2010 645 89.3% 7,323 11,172 16,950
2009 1,407 88.1% 6,385 10,607 16,975

How Long Does a Yamaha Yzf R1 09 Last?

Based on 316 Yamaha Yzf R1 09 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
9.9 years
Median
10.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
17 years

Yamaha Yzf R1 09 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Yzf R1 09 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
10,990 mi
75th Percentile
17,014 mi
95th Percentile
27,046 mi
Max Recorded
53,507 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Yzf R1 09

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

Best year
2010

89.3% MOT pass rate from 645 tests

Year to avoid
2011

85.5% MOT pass rate from 117 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha Yzf R1 09 is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.3% across 645 tests. The 2011 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.5% — 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 R1 09 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha Yzf R1 09 THIS CAR 88.2% 2,214 10,990 mi 17 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
Volkswagen Polo Twist 74.9% 1,644 92,584 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Yzf R1 09 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Yamaha Yzf R1 09 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 Yzf R1 09

Should you buy a used Yamaha Yzf R1 09?

The Yamaha Yzf R1 09 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.2% across 2,214 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 R1 09 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (18 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (16), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (10). 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 Yzf R1 09 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 R1 09 owner drives around 909 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 R1 09 models stay on UK roads for around 17 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 Yzf R1 09 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha Yzf R1 09 reliable?
Based on 2,214 MOT tests, the Yamaha Yzf R1 09 has a 88.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha Yzf R1 09?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, reflector on motorcycle missing, and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha Yzf R1 09 do per year?
The typical Yamaha Yzf R1 09 does around 909 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha Yzf R1 09 last?
Most Yamaha Yzf R1 09 models stay on UK roads for around 17 years based on our analysis of 316 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha Yzf R1 09?
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 Yzf R1 09?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha Yzf R1 09 is 2010 with a 89.3% pass rate across 645 tests.