Yamaha common problems and MOT failures
From 203,244 MOT tests in 2024, 9.0% of Yamaha vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Yamaha MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely | 2,574 |
| 2 | tyre tread depth outside legal limits | 2,310 |
| 3 | brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm | 1,605 |
| 4 | transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn | 1,229 |
| 5 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements | 1,222 |
| 6 | direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 1,220 |
| 7 | reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear | 1,211 |
| 8 | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 1,088 |
| 9 | headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 1,086 |
| 10 | stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 967 |
What this means if you're buying a Yamaha
The single most common MOT failure for Yamaha is shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, accounting for 18% of all failure items.
These figures are from real MOT inspections — they show what testers actually find wrong with Yamaha vehicles. If you're viewing a used Yamaha, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Yamaha models by MOT pass rate
Lowest pass rates first — these models have the most testable issues.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gpd125-A Nmax 125 Abs | 11,491 | 87.4% |
| Mt | 13,094 | 93.2% |
Buying a specific Yamaha? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK