YAMAHA THUNDERACE

1002cc Petrol Class 2

#3686 of 5426 overall #248 of 409 YAMAHAs #2344 of 2787 other bikes

79.5%

first-time pass rate

11.7%

failed outright

24,716

median miles at test

2,276

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The THUNDERACE's first-time pass rate has fallen 8.8 points since 2006, 88.2% to 79.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage THUNDERACE passes first time 80.9% of the time; by 50k that's 75.6%.

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 THUNDERACE

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	178	28.9	1.2×
brakes	149	24.2	1.1×
steering and suspension	86	14	1.1×
tyres and wheels	68	11	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	38	6.2	0.6×
reg plates and vin	29	4.7	1.7×
fuel and exhaust	21	3.4	1.0×
structure and attachments	16	2.6	0.7×
suspension	16	2.6	0.8×
drive system	15	2.4	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the THUNDERACE beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 THUNDERACE.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2000 (82.9% pass). Weakest: 1998 (76.5%).

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 THUNDERACE FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA THUNDERACE reliable?

The YAMAHA THUNDERACE is less reliable than average for its class: 79.5% of its 2,276 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3686 of 5426 models.

What does a THUNDERACE fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 29% of all defects recorded against failed THUNDERACE tests.

What is the best year of THUNDERACE to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2000-registered examples do best (82.9%) and 1998 worst (76.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a THUNDERACE last?

The median THUNDERACE shows 24,716 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.