YAMAHA MT-03

321cc Petrol Class 2

#657 of 5426 overall #22 of 409 YAMAHAs #401 of 2787 other bikes

91.1%

first-time pass rate

4.8%

failed outright

5,089

median miles at test

2,619

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2019–2025

The MT-03's first-time pass rate has risen 2.9 points since 2019, 87.5% to 90.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the MT-03's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage MT-03 passes first time 93.7% of the time; by 20k that's 84.9%.

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 MT-03

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	52	26.7	1.0×
structure and attachments	37	19	1.7×
brakes	35	17.9	0.3×
tyres	24	12.3	1.2×
suspension	16	8.2	0.7×
steering	14	7.2	1.1×
Identification of the vehicle	6	3.1	1.0×
audible warning (Horn)	5	2.6	1.0×
wheels	3	1.5	1.9×
lighting and signalling	3	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 MT-03 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI AN400, SUZUKI DR-Z400S, YAMAHA RD350).

SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k tests YAMAHA RD350 86.3% pass · 19.6k tests KAWASAKI ZXR400 73.1% pass · 14.2k 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 MT-03.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2021 (95.5% pass). Weakest: 2019 (89.6%).

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 MT-03 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA MT-03 reliable?

The YAMAHA MT-03 is more reliable than average for its class: 91.1% of its 2,619 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #657 of 5426 models.

What does a MT-03 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 27% of all defects recorded against failed MT-03 tests.

What is the best year of MT-03 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2021-registered examples do best (95.5%) and 2019 worst (89.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a MT-03 last?

The median MT-03 shows 5,089 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 84.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.