YAMAHA FZ8

779cc Petrol Class 2

#1722 of 5426 overall #73 of 409 YAMAHAs #1043 of 2787 other bikes

87.6%

first-time pass rate

5.6%

failed outright

10,618

median miles at test

5,659

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2013–2025

The FZ8's first-time pass rate has risen 2.5 points since 2013, 85.3% to 87.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the FZ8's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage FZ8 passes first time 90.8% of the time; by 40k that's 78.7%.

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 FZ8

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	177	33.4	1.4×
lighting and signalling	61	11.5	0.2×
tyres	57	10.8	1.4×
brakes	56	10.6	0.2×
tyres and wheels	44	8.3	0.3×
structure and attachments	37	7	0.8×
suspension	36	6.8	0.8×
reg plates and vin	23	4.3	0.5×
steering and suspension	20	3.8	0.1×
Identification of the vehicle	19	3.6	1.5×

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 FZ8 beats 4 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 TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 FZ8.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2015 (93.5% pass). Weakest: 2010 (87.0%).

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 FZ8 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA FZ8 reliable?

The YAMAHA FZ8 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.6% of its 5,659 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1722 of 5426 models.

What does a FZ8 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 33% of all defects recorded against failed FZ8 tests.

What is the best year of FZ8 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2015-registered examples do best (93.5%) and 2010 worst (87.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FZ8 last?

The median FZ8 shows 10,618 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 78.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.