Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
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 T80's first-time pass rate has risen 20.6 points since 2005, 73.1% to 93.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage T80 passes first time 80.3% of the time; by 50k that's 67.1%.
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 T80
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
824 | 45.2 | 2.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
297 | 16.3 | 1.9× |
| brakes |
|
219 | 12 | 1.0× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
186 | 10.2 | 2.1× |
| body and structure |
|
80 | 4.4 | 3.7× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
77 | 4.2 | 2.4× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
73 | 4 | 0.8× |
| wheels |
|
25 | 1.4 | 4.8× |
| suspension |
|
22 | 1.2 | 0.6× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
19 | 1 | 0.8× |
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 T80 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (HONDA C90, HONDA SCV100, YAMAHA YQ100).
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 T80.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1983 (88.9%). Lowest: 1997 (70.0%). Every T80 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 T80 FAQ
Is the YAMAHA T80 reliable?
The YAMAHA T80 is more reliable than average for its class: 76.1% of its 3,798 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4173 of 5428 models.
What does a T80 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 45% of all defects recorded against failed T80 tests.
What is the best year of T80 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1983-registered examples do best (88.9%) and 1997 worst (70.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a T80 last?
The median T80 shows 17,004 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 67.1% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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