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 TRX's first-time pass rate has risen 7.3 points since 2006, 84.6% to 91.9%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage TRX passes first time 88.7% of the time; by 50k that's 82.9%.
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 TRX
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
37 | 26.6 | 0.8× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
33 | 23.7 | 0.9× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
19 | 13.7 | 1.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
16 | 11.5 | 0.6× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
12 | 8.6 | 1.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
9 | 6.5 | 0.2× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
6 | 4.3 | 0.9× |
| structure and attachments |
|
3 | 2.2 | 0.2× |
| Items Not Tested |
|
2 | 1.4 | 1.4× |
| drive system |
|
2 | 1.4 | 0.3× |
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 TRX beats 3 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 TRX.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1998 (89.5%). Lowest: 1995 (70.6%). Every TRX 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 TRX FAQ
Is the YAMAHA TRX reliable?
The YAMAHA TRX is about average for its class: 84.1% of its 794 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2721 of 5428 models.
What does a TRX fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 27% of all defects recorded against failed TRX tests.
What is the best year of TRX to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1998-registered examples do best (89.5%) and 1995 worst (70.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a TRX last?
The median TRX shows 25,844 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 82.9% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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