Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The FZ8's first-time pass rate has risen 2.5 points since 2013, 85.3% to 87.8%.
Pass rate by mileage
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
| Component group | Share of defects | 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
On first-time pass rate the FZ8 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2015 (93.5%). Lowest: 2010 (87.0%). Every FZ8 year compared →
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
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 #1725 of 5428 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, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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