Yamaha YZF R3 MOT pass rate and common failures
Yamaha YZF R3 motorcycles pass the MOT 86.89% of the time, measured across 267 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.87% 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 missing - it accounts for 50% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check not working and indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort, 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 (10.5% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 8,764 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 | 87.5% | 144 | |
| 6-10 years | 86.18% | 123 |
Why the Yamaha YZF R3 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 | 50% | 11 | |
| 2 | Not working | 22.7% | 5 | |
| 3 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 18.2% | 4 | |
| 4 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 18.2% | 4 | |
| 5 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 13.6% | 3 | |
| 6 | Too high | 13.6% | 3 | |
| 7 | Excessively loose | 9.1% | 2 | |
| 8 | Has excessive wear or free play | 9.1% | 2 | |
| 9 | Has insufficient reserve travel | 9.1% | 2 | |
| 10 | Horseshoe locking device incorrectly fitted | 9.1% | 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 | 10.5% | 28 | |
| 2 | Excessively loose | 4.9% | 13 | |
| 3 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 4.1% | 11 | |
| 4 | Worn to excess | 2.6% | 7 | |
| 5 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 2.2% | 6 | |
| 6 | Has a serious fluid leak | 2.2% | 6 | |
| 7 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 1.9% | 5 | |
| 8 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 1.5% | 4 | |
| 9 | Tread not clearly visible | 1.5% | 4 | |
| 10 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 0.7% | 2 |
Yamaha YZF R3 for sale
No Yamaha YZF R3 in stock at the moment - 84 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