YAMAHA FZR1000

1002cc Petrol Class 2

#4321 of 5426 overall #323 of 409 YAMAHAs #2667 of 2787 other bikes

74.8%

first-time pass rate

16.4%

failed outright

30,421

median miles at test

11.3k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The FZR1000's first-time pass rate has risen 12.5 points since 2005, 72.4% to 84.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the FZR1000's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage FZR1000 passes first time 75.2% of the time; by 50k that's 72.7%.

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 FZR1000

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	1,646	31.1	2.0×
brakes	1,242	23.5	1.7×
steering and suspension	1,145	21.6	2.3×
tyres and wheels	338	6.4	1.3×
fuel and exhaust	215	4.1	2.3×
reg plates and vin	204	3.9	2.6×
drive system	163	3.1	1.7×
lamps and reflectors	155	2.9	0.5×
body and structure	118	2.2	1.7×
driving controls	65	1.2	2.4×

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 FZR1000 beats 0 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 FZR1000.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (89.7% pass). Weakest: 1971 (63.4%).

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 FZR1000 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA FZR1000 reliable?

The YAMAHA FZR1000 is less reliable than average for its class: 74.8% of its 11,309 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4321 of 5426 models.

What does a FZR1000 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed FZR1000 tests.

What is the best year of FZR1000 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (89.7%) and 1971 worst (63.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FZR1000 last?

The median FZR1000 shows 30,421 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 72.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.