BMW G310 vs Yamaha RD350

The BMW G310 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha RD350: 91.3% vs 86.3%, a 5.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	BMW G310	Yamaha RD350
First-time pass rate	91.3%	86.3%
Outright fail rate	4.3%	6.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.9 pts	+2.4 pts
Engine size	313cc	347cc
Rank among all models	#619 of 5428	#2120 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,375	23,256
MOT tests analysed	5,862	19,574
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	BMW G310	Yamaha RD350
Lights & signalling	1.9%	3.2%
Brakes	1.1%	2.7%
Steering & suspension	1.1%	2.5%
Structure & body	1.0%	0.4%
Tyres & wheels	0.3%	0.9%
Drive system	0%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.4%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	BMW G310	Yamaha RD350
2020	94.2%	92.0%
2021	90.0%	90.1%
2022	92.3%	90.5%
2023	89.7%	92.2%
2024	91.5%	94.8%
2025	91.8%	93.5%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	BMW G310	Yamaha RD350
0k-10k miles	92.0%	88.9%
10k-20k miles	86.4%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	82.4%	85.5%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

BMW G310 vs Yamaha RD350 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW G310 or the Yamaha RD350?

The BMW G310 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha RD350: 91.3% vs 86.3%, a 5.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+1.9 vs +2.4 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW G310 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.9% of BMW G310 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.1%).

What does the Yamaha RD350 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.2% of Yamaha RD350 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.7%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the BMW G310 or the Yamaha RD350?

At 20k-30k miles the Yamaha RD350 passes first time more often: 82.4% for the BMW G310 vs 85.5% for the Yamaha RD350.

BMW G310 91.3% pass · 5,862 tests YAMAHA RD350 86.3% pass · 19.6k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.