Yamaha FJR MOT pass rate and common failures

Yamaha FJR motorcycles pass the MOT 94.46% of the time, measured across 884 tests in the DVSA record. A further 2.6% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Better than average: 7.6 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 94.46% 835 of 884

Fixed at the station 2.6% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 29,966 miles

Average age at test 7.97 years old

Engine 1,298cc MOT class 1 and 2

For sale now 0 Yamaha FJR adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

Start with tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm - it accounts for 34.6% of failed tests on this model.
Then check too high and less than 1.0 mm thick, the next two most common reasons.
The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (6.2% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 29,966 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.

Pass rate by age

A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.

Age at test	Pass rate	Tests
3-5 years	94.22%	173
6-10 years	94.35%	672
11-15 years	100%	32

Why the Yamaha FJR fails

Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.

#	Item	Of failures	Tests
1	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	34.6%	9
2	Too high	23.1%	6
3	Less than 1.0 mm thick	19.2%	5
4	Has insufficient reserve travel	15.4%	4
5	Has negligible damping effect	15.4%	4
6	Seriously damaged	15.4%	4
7	Has a serious fluid leak	11.5%	3
8	Has excessive wear or free play	11.5%	3
9	Not working	11.5%	3
10	Remains on when the brakes are released	11.5%	3

Most common advisories

Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.

#	Item	Of all tests	Tests
1	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	6.2%	55
2	Less than 1.0 mm thick	2.6%	23
3	Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort	2.4%	21
4	Has excessive play	1.4%	12
5	In such a condition that it is seriously weakened	1.1%	10
6	Tread not clearly visible	1.1%	10
7	Excessively stiff or notchy	0.9%	8
8	Has a serious fluid leak	0.9%	8
9	Has excessive wear or free play	0.9%	8
10	Significantly and obviously worn	0.9%	8

Yamaha FJR for sale

No Yamaha FJR in stock at the moment - 83 other Yamaha bikes are advertised.

Used Yamaha FJR Used Yamaha All Yamaha Yamaha MOT statistics

Similar bikes compared

Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.

Model	Tests	Pass rate	Avg mileage
Triumph TIGER · 969cc	16,144	91.27%	22,934
BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc	9,796	91.92%	40,594
BMW R1200 · 1,170cc	9,521	94.43%	28,830
BMW S 1000 · 999cc	8,445	91.96%	15,282
BMW R1250 · 1,254cc	6,764	96.17%	17,373
BMW R 1200 · 1,170cc	6,170	95.28%	27,241

Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method

Yamaha FJR MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Yamaha FJR?+

94.46% of Yamaha FJR MOT tests end in a pass, based on 884 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Yamaha FJR?+

Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, which appears in 34.6% of failed tests on this model.

Does the Yamaha FJR get harder to pass as it ages?+

At 11-15 years old the pass rate is 100%, against 94.22% for examples 3-5 years old.

Where does this data come from?+

From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.

Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+

Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.