Pass rate over time
The QT50's first-time pass rate has risen 9.3 points since 2005, 79.3% to 88.6%.
What fails on a QT50
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
250 | 61.1 | 2.1× |
| brakes |
|
64 | 15.6 | 0.9× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
30 | 7.3 | 1.0× |
| steering and suspension |
|
30 | 7.3 | 0.7× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
13 | 3.2 | 0.5× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
9 | 2.2 | 0.9× |
| Items Not Tested |
|
6 | 1.5 | 1.0× |
| tyres |
|
3 | 0.7 | 0.3× |
| body and structure |
|
3 | 0.7 | 0.4× |
| wheels |
|
1 | 0.2 | 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 QT50 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT, PIAGGIO ZIP, PIAGGIO NRG).
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 QT50.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1991 (89.6% pass). Weakest: 1987 (73.6%).
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 QT50 FAQ
Is the YAMAHA QT50 reliable?
The YAMAHA QT50 is more reliable than average for its class: 82.0% of its 1,119 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #3181 of 5426 models.
What does a QT50 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 61% of all defects recorded against failed QT50 tests.
What is the best year of QT50 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1991-registered examples do best (89.6%) and 1987 worst (73.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.