YAMAHA FZ1

998cc Petrol Class 2

#1883 of 5426 overall #83 of 409 YAMAHAs #1137 of 2787 other bikes

87.1%

first-time pass rate

6.0%

failed outright

14,193

median miles at test

5,394

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2009–2025

The FZ1's first-time pass rate has risen 9.6 points since 2009, 80.7% to 90.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the FZ1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage FZ1 passes first time 91.0% of the time; by 50k that's 73.2%.

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 FZ1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	134	24.1	1.1×
lighting and signalling	86	15.5	0.3×
brakes	71	12.8	0.2×
tyres and wheels	61	11	0.5×
tyres	46	8.3	1.1×
reg plates and vin	42	7.6	1.1×
structure and attachments	40	7.2	0.8×
suspension	30	5.4	0.7×
Identification of the vehicle	27	4.9	2.2×
steering and suspension	18	3.2	0.1×

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 FZ1 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 FZ1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2015 (92.0% pass). Weakest: 2006 (85.1%).

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 FZ1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA FZ1 reliable?

The YAMAHA FZ1 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.1% of its 5,394 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1883 of 5426 models.

What does a FZ1 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 24% of all defects recorded against failed FZ1 tests.

What is the best year of FZ1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2015-registered examples do best (92.0%) and 2006 worst (85.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FZ1 last?

The median FZ1 shows 14,193 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 73.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.