YAMAHA RZV500R

499cc Petrol Class 2

90.7%

first-time pass rate

6.6%

failed outright

14,445

median miles at test

151

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the RZV500R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage RZV500R passes first time 93.5% of the time; by 20k that's 93.5%.

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 RZV500R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	7	33.3
lighting and signalling	7	33.3
steering and suspension	4	19
lamps and reflectors	1	4.8
suspension	1	4.8
tyres	1	4.8

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 RZV500R beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 RZV500R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1984 (89.8% pass). Weakest: 1984 (89.8%).

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.