YAMAHA YZF-R3

321cc Petrol Class 2

#2230 of 5426 overall #106 of 409 YAMAHAs #97 of 226 sport bikes

85.9%

first-time pass rate

6.7%

failed outright

7,109

median miles at test

2,686

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2018–2025

The YZF-R3's first-time pass rate has risen 2.4 points since 2018, 85.3% to 87.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the YZF-R3's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage YZF-R3 passes first time 88.9% of the time; by 30k that's 72.5%.

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 YZF-R3

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	116	33.8	2.1×
brakes	56	16.3	0.4×
structure and attachments	53	15.5	2.3×
tyres	49	14.3	2.4×
Identification of the vehicle	25	7.3	4.0×
steering	21	6.1	1.7×
suspension	13	3.8	0.6×
audible warning (Horn)	6	1.7	1.2×
lighting and signalling	3	0.9	—
wheels	1	0.3	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 YZF-R3 beats 1 of its 1 closest rivals (HONDA CBR400).

HONDA CBR400 74.0% pass · 7,949 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 YZF-R3.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2019 (90.0% pass). Weakest: 2015 (84.3%).

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 YZF-R3 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA YZF-R3 reliable?

The YAMAHA YZF-R3 is about average for its class: 85.9% of its 2,686 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2230 of 5426 models.

What does a YZF-R3 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 34% of all defects recorded against failed YZF-R3 tests.

What is the best year of YZF-R3 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2019-registered examples do best (90.0%) and 2018 worst (84.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a YZF-R3 last?

The median YZF-R3 shows 7,109 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 72.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.