Yamaha RD350 MOT pass rate and common failures
Yamaha RD350 motorcycles pass the MOT 93.37% of the time, measured across 483 tests in the DVSA record. A further 2.9% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with not working - it accounts for 55.6% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check missing and the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%, 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 (3.1% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 23,071 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16+ years | 93.81% | 452 |
Why the Yamaha RD350 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 | Not working | 55.6% | 10 | |
| 2 | Missing | 22.2% | 4 | |
| 3 | The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25% | 22.2% | 4 | |
| 4 | Has a serious fluid leak | 16.7% | 3 | |
| 5 | Has insufficient reserve travel | 16.7% | 3 | |
| 6 | Excessively binding | 11.1% | 2 | |
| 7 | Light intensity obviously reduced | 11.1% | 2 | |
| 8 | Spindle locking device missing | 11.1% | 2 | |
| 9 | Anti-slip provision missing | 5.6% | 1 | |
| 10 | Component leaking excessively or a risk of fire | 5.6% | 1 |
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 | 3.1% | 15 | |
| 2 | Excessively loose | 2.1% | 10 | |
| 3 | Excessively binding | 1.9% | 9 | |
| 4 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 1.9% | 9 | |
| 5 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 1.7% | 8 | |
| 6 | Has a serious fluid leak | 1.7% | 8 | |
| 7 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 1.4% | 7 | |
| 8 | Pin or bush excessively worn | 1% | 5 | |
| 9 | Chain guard missing | 0.8% | 4 | |
| 10 | Component pin or bush excessively worn | 0.8% | 4 |
Yamaha RD350 for sale
No Yamaha RD350 in stock at the moment - 83 other Yamaha bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piaggio VESPA GTS · 240-300cc | 4,305 | 92.15% | 9,875 | |
| Honda CRF 220-250cc · 220-250cc | 2,452 | 89.76% | 7,549 | |
| Royal Enfield HIMALAYAN · 411cc | 2,371 | 88.49% | 8,163 | |
| Royal Enfield METEOR 350 · 349cc | 2,133 | 93.95% | 4,543 | |
| Honda NSS 250-297cc · 250-297cc | 1,397 | 90.34% | 17,407 | |
| Honda CRF 300 LA-M · 286cc | 1,297 | 88.43% | 3,963 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method