YAMAHA R1-Z

249cc Petrol Class 2

#854 of 5426 overall #32 of 409 YAMAHAs #518 of 2787 other bikes

90.3%

first-time pass rate

4.4%

failed outright

14,257

median miles at test

226

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the R1-Z's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage R1-Z passes first time 88.6% of the time; by 20k that's 95.7%.

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 R1-Z

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	6	30
lamps and reflectors	4	20
lighting and signalling	4	20
steering and suspension	3	15
suspension	3	15

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the R1-Z beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 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 R1-Z.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1990 (88.3% pass). Weakest: 1990 (88.3%).

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.