YAMAHA TR1

981cc Petrol Class 2

#3356 of 5426 overall #216 of 409 YAMAHAs #2142 of 2787 other bikes

81.1%

first-time pass rate

9.0%

failed outright

26,789

median miles at test

808

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2021

The TR1's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.2 points since 2006, 84.2% to 80.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the TR1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage TR1 passes first time 80.0% of the time; by 50k that's 85.7%.

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 TR1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	54	32.3	1.0×
brakes	33	19.8	0.6×
steering and suspension	30	18	1.0×
lamps and reflectors	15	9	0.8×
fuel and exhaust	13	7.8	1.6×
reg plates and vin	7	4.2	1.1×
body and structure	5	3	0.8×
steering	4	2.4	0.9×
audible warning (Horn)	3	1.8	2.0×
suspension	3	1.8	0.5×

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 TR1 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 TR1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1983 (86.4% pass). Weakest: 1985 (75.9%).

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 TR1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA TR1 reliable?

The YAMAHA TR1 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.1% of its 808 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3356 of 5426 models.

What does a TR1 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 32% of all defects recorded against failed TR1 tests.

What is the best year of TR1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1983-registered examples do best (86.4%) and 1985 worst (75.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a TR1 last?

The median TR1 shows 26,789 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 85.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.