YAMAHA FZR750R

749cc Petrol Class 2

#3513 of 5426 overall #230 of 409 YAMAHAs #2237 of 2787 other bikes

80.3%

first-time pass rate

12.1%

failed outright

21,699

median miles at test

512

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2009

The FZR750R's first-time pass rate has fallen 11.4 points since 2006, 82.1% to 70.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the FZR750R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage FZR750R passes first time 90.9% of the time; by 40k that's 72.9%.

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 FZR750R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	67	37.4	1.7×
brakes	35	19.6	1.2×
steering and suspension	33	18.4	1.6×
reg plates and vin	10	5.6	1.7×
fuel and exhaust	10	5.6	2.6×
tyres and wheels	9	5	0.9×
body and structure	5	2.8	2.0×
lamps and reflectors	4	2.2	0.5×
structure and attachments	3	1.7	0.6×
suspension	3	1.7	0.8×

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 FZR750R beats 2 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 FZR750R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1990 (92.2% pass). Weakest: 1987 (70.7%).

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 FZR750R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA FZR750R reliable?

The YAMAHA FZR750R is less reliable than average for its class: 80.3% of its 512 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3513 of 5426 models.

What does a FZR750R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 37% of all defects recorded against failed FZR750R tests.

What is the best year of FZR750R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1990-registered examples do best (92.2%) and 1987 worst (70.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FZR750R last?

The median FZR750R shows 21,699 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 72.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.