YAMAHA 535

535cc Petrol Class 2

#3219 of 5426 overall #202 of 409 YAMAHAs #2047 of 2787 other bikes

81.8%

first-time pass rate

9.6%

failed outright

20,476

median miles at test

936

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2022

The 535's first-time pass rate has risen 7.5 points since 2006, 73.1% to 80.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 535's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 535 passes first time 84.7% of the time; by 40k that's 79.5%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 535

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
tyres and wheels	43	22.3	1.8×
lighting and signalling	41	21.2	0.8×
steering and suspension	30	15.5	0.9×
brakes	26	13.5	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	20	10.4	0.6×
structure and attachments	10	5.2	1.2×
tyres	8	4.1	0.9×
driving controls	5	2.6	2.3×
fuel and exhaust	5	2.6	0.7×
reg plates and vin	5	2.6	0.7×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 535 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the 535.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1997 (88.8% pass). Weakest: 1993 (76.6%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

YAMAHA 535 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA 535 reliable?

The YAMAHA 535 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.8% of its 936 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3219 of 5426 models.

What does a 535 fail its MOT on most?

tyres and wheels — 22% of all defects recorded against failed 535 tests.

What is the best year of 535 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1997-registered examples do best (88.8%) and 1993 worst (76.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 535 last?

The median 535 shows 20,476 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 79.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.