YAMAHA DRAGSTAR

649cc Petrol Class 2

#2411 of 5426 overall #129 of 409 YAMAHAs #1507 of 2787 other bikes

85.3%

first-time pass rate

8.3%

failed outright

14,109

median miles at test

2,787

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The DRAGSTAR's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.4 points since 2006, 88.6% to 85.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage DRAGSTAR passes first time 88.9% of the time; by 50k that's 81.8%.

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 DRAGSTAR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	111	25.1	0.6×
brakes	92	20.8	0.6×
tyres and wheels	61	13.8	1.0×
lamps and reflectors	53	12	0.8×
steering and suspension	47	10.6	0.5×
reg plates and vin	26	5.9	1.3×
structure and attachments	17	3.8	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	12	2.7	0.5×
suspension	12	2.7	0.5×
tyres	12	2.7	0.6×

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 DRAGSTAR 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 HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 DRAGSTAR.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (96.9% pass). Weakest: 1999 (81.1%).

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 DRAGSTAR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA DRAGSTAR reliable?

The YAMAHA DRAGSTAR is about average for its class: 85.3% of its 2,787 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2411 of 5426 models.

What does a DRAGSTAR fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 25% of all defects recorded against failed DRAGSTAR tests.

What is the best year of DRAGSTAR to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (96.9%) and 1999 worst (81.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a DRAGSTAR last?

The median DRAGSTAR shows 14,109 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 81.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.