Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
YAMAHA RD200
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 RD200's first-time pass rate has risen 6.9 points since 2006, 82.6% to 89.5%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage RD200 passes first time 85.9% of the time; by 30k that's 87.0%.
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 RD200
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| steering and suspension |
|
48 | 26.4 | 0.9× |
| brakes |
|
47 | 25.8 | 0.7× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
37 | 20.3 | 0.6× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
17 | 9.3 | 0.6× |
| body and structure |
|
16 | 8.8 | 2.4× |
| drive system |
|
6 | 3.3 | 0.7× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
4 | 2.2 | 0.5× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
3 | 1.6 | 0.3× |
| driving controls |
|
2 | 1.1 | 0.8× |
| structure and attachments |
|
2 | 1.1 | 0.3× |
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 RD200 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).
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 RD200.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1975 (91.5%). Lowest: 1977 (77.0%). Every RD200 year compared →
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 RD200 FAQ
Is the YAMAHA RD200 reliable?
The YAMAHA RD200 is more reliable than average for its class: 85.0% of its 1,119 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #2491 of 5428 models.
What does a RD200 fail its MOT on most?
steering and suspension: 26% of all defects recorded against failed RD200 tests.
What is the best year of RD200 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1975-registered examples do best (91.5%) and 1977 worst (77.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a RD200 last?
The median RD200 shows 15,491 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 87.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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