Yamaha FZ1 MOT pass rate and common failures

Yamaha FZ1 motorcycles pass the MOT 89.44% of the time, measured across 341 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.99% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

About average - within 2.6 points of the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.
Pass rate 89.44% 305 of 341
Fixed at the station 4.99% passed after an on-the-spot repair
Average mileage at test 24,928 miles
Average age at test 15.53 years old
Engine 992cc MOT class 2
For sale now 1 Yamaha FZ1 adverts

What to check before the MOT

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

  • Start with missing - it accounts for 42.1% of failed tests on this model.
  • Then check not working and too low, the next two most common reasons.
  • The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (13.2% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
  • Average recorded mileage at test is 24,928 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
6-10 years 87.5% 48
11-15 years 88% 100
16+ years 90.67% 193

Why the Yamaha FZ1 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 Missing 42.1% 8
2 Not working 26.3% 5
3 Too low 26.3% 5
4 Grip insecure to handlebar 21.1% 4
5 Has a serious fluid leak 21.1% 4
6 Does not conform to the specified requirements 15.8% 3
7 Less than 1.0 mm thick 15.8% 3
8 Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls 10.5% 2
9 Missing in the case of a single lamp or all lamps 10.5% 2
10 Not working on dipped beam 10.5% 2

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 Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 13.2% 45
2 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 4.1% 14
3 Pin or bush excessively worn 2.1% 7
4 Excessively loose 1.8% 6
5 Less than 1.0 mm thick 1.8% 6
6 Has a serious fluid leak 1.5% 5
7 In such a condition that it is seriously weakened 1.5% 5
8 Component pin or bush excessively worn 1.2% 4
9 Has an excessively worn bush 1.2% 4
10 Has excessive play 1.2% 4

Yamaha FZ1 for sale

1 Yamaha FZ1 adverts on MotoDealers UK right now, 83 Yamaha in total.

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
Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc 12,456 90.8% 12,824
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

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

Yamaha FZ1 MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Yamaha FZ1?+
89.44% of Yamaha FZ1 MOT tests end in a pass, based on 341 tests in the DVSA dataset.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Yamaha FZ1?+
Missing, which appears in 42.1% of failed tests on this model.
Does the Yamaha FZ1 get harder to pass as it ages?+
At 16+ years old the pass rate is 90.67%, against 87.5% for examples 6-10 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.
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