The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The RD's first-time pass rate has risen 20.4 points since 2006, 77.1% to 97.5%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage RD passes first time 85.4% of the time; by 40k that's 88.8%.
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 RD
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
155 | 35.5 | 0.9× |
| brakes |
|
94 | 21.5 | 0.7× |
| steering and suspension |
|
84 | 19.2 | 0.9× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
28 | 6.4 | 0.5× |
| drive system |
|
23 | 5.3 | 1.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
18 | 4.1 | 0.9× |
| body and structure |
|
15 | 3.4 | 1.1× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
8 | 1.8 | 0.2× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
7 | 1.6 | 0.5× |
| driving controls |
|
5 | 1.1 | 0.9× |
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 RD beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI AN400, SUZUKI DR-Z400S, YAMAHA RD350).
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 RD.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1988 (92.2% pass). Weakest: 1977 (76.9%).
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 RD FAQ
Is the YAMAHA RD reliable?
The YAMAHA RD is about average for its class: 86.0% of its 2,258 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2197 of 5428 models.
What does a RD fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 35% of all defects recorded against failed RD tests.
What is the best year of RD to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1988-registered examples do best (92.2%) and 1977 worst (76.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a RD last?
The median RD shows 21,449 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 88.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
Embed this bike
Free to embed on your site, blog or forum — a live Yamaha RD reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.