Yamaha MT 659-700cc MOT pass rate and common failures
Yamaha MT 659-700cc motorcycles pass the MOT 84.05% of the time, measured across 2,364 tests in the DVSA record. A further 6.94% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
Calculated from DVSA records for Yamaha MT, 659-700cc.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with missing - it accounts for 46% 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 (15.9% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 18,639 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 | 83.89% | 2,042 | |
| 11-15 years | 84.11% | 302 |
Why the Yamaha MT 659-700cc 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 | 46% | 98 | |
| 2 | Not working | 25.8% | 55 | |
| 3 | Too low | 17.4% | 37 | |
| 4 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 15.5% | 33 | |
| 5 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 12.2% | 26 | |
| 6 | Has a serious fluid leak | 10.3% | 22 | |
| 7 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 10.3% | 22 | |
| 8 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 9.9% | 21 | |
| 9 | Has excessive play | 8.5% | 18 | |
| 10 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 8.5% | 18 |
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 | 15.9% | 377 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 7.2% | 170 | |
| 3 | Excessively loose | 3.1% | 74 | |
| 4 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 2.8% | 66 | |
| 5 | Has a serious fluid leak | 2.5% | 59 | |
| 6 | Significantly and obviously worn | 2.2% | 51 | |
| 7 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 1.5% | 35 | |
| 8 | Excessively binding | 1.4% | 34 | |
| 9 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 1.4% | 34 | |
| 10 | Tread not clearly visible | 1.4% | 32 |
Yamaha MT 659-700cc for sale
No Yamaha MT 659-700cc in stock at the moment - 86 other Yamaha bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc | 12,456 | 90.8% | 12,824 | |
| Honda CB 397-750cc · 397-750cc | 5,400 | 89.76% | 19,444 | |
| Honda NC · 741cc | 5,311 | 89.53% | 22,765 | |
| Honda CBR600F · 599cc | 4,914 | 85.61% | 30,486 | |
| Suzuki GSF600 · 600cc | 4,890 | 80% | 29,308 | |
| Kawasaki ZX-6R · 599-636cc | 4,713 | 81.54% | 26,085 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method