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 TDR's first-time pass rate has risen 24.5 points since 2006, 69.0% to 93.5%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage TDR passes first time 85.8% of the time; by 40k that's 90.9%.
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 TDR
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
51 | 26.6 | 1.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
42 | 21.9 | 1.3× |
| brakes |
|
30 | 15.6 | 0.7× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
21 | 10.9 | 0.9× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
18 | 9.4 | 1.1× |
| drive system |
|
9 | 4.7 | 1.2× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
8 | 4.2 | 2.0× |
| suspension |
|
6 | 3.1 | 1.0× |
| structure and attachments |
|
4 | 2.1 | 0.6× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
3 | 1.6 | 0.6× |
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 TDR beats 3 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 TDR.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1988 (87.6%). Lowest: 1990 (80.2%). Every TDR 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 TDR FAQ
Is the YAMAHA TDR reliable?
The YAMAHA TDR is less reliable than average for its class: 82.8% of its 710 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3007 of 5428 models.
What does a TDR fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 27% of all defects recorded against failed TDR tests.
What is the best year of TDR to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1988-registered examples do best (87.6%) and 1990 worst (80.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a TDR last?
The median TDR shows 19,555 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 90.9% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
Embed this bike
Free to embed on your site, blog or forum: a live Yamaha TDR reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.