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 TDM's first-time pass rate has risen 4.3 points since 2006, 82.7% to 87.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage TDM passes first time 87.6% of the time; by 50k that's 76.4%.
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 TDM
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
122 | 25.1 | 1.0× |
| brakes |
|
120 | 24.7 | 1.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
82 | 16.9 | 1.1× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
45 | 9.3 | 1.0× |
| drive system |
|
32 | 6.6 | 1.6× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
28 | 5.8 | 0.6× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
22 | 4.5 | 1.3× |
| structure and attachments |
|
14 | 2.9 | 0.8× |
| suspension |
|
12 | 2.5 | 0.7× |
| body and structure |
|
9 | 1.9 | 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 TDM beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 TDM.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1999 (85.7%). Lowest: 1994 (72.0%). Every TDM 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 TDM FAQ
Is the YAMAHA TDM reliable?
The YAMAHA TDM is less reliable than average for its class: 80.8% of its 2,101 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3418 of 5428 models.
What does a TDM fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 25% of all defects recorded against failed TDM tests.
What is the best year of TDM to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1999-registered examples do best (85.7%) and 1994 worst (72.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a TDM last?
The median TDM shows 31,624 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 76.4% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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