Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
YAMAHA YP400
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 YP400's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.5 points since 2007, 89.3% to 86.8%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage YP400 passes first time 91.4% of the time; by 50k that's 68.5%.
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 YP400
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
454 | 47.6 | 1.5× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
118 | 12.4 | 1.0× |
| steering and suspension |
|
105 | 11 | 0.5× |
| tyres |
|
69 | 7.2 | 2.0× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
54 | 5.7 | 0.6× |
| suspension |
|
53 | 5.6 | 1.2× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
50 | 5.2 | 0.2× |
| steering |
|
20 | 2.1 | 0.9× |
| structure and attachments |
|
15 | 1.6 | 0.4× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
15 | 1.6 | 0.4× |
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 YP400 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).
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 YP400.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2014 (93.8%). Lowest: 2008 (81.9%). Every YP400 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 YP400 FAQ
Is the YAMAHA YP400 reliable?
The YAMAHA YP400 is about average for its class: 85.8% of its 4,780 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2266 of 5428 models.
What does a YP400 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 48% of all defects recorded against failed YP400 tests.
What is the best year of YP400 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2014-registered examples do best (93.8%) and 2008 worst (81.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a YP400 last?
The median YP400 shows 15,530 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 68.5% 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 YP400 reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.