Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Jawa 350/640 vs Yamaha RD350
The Jawa 350/640 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha RD350: 88.0% vs 86.3%, a 1.7-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Jawa 350/640 | Yamaha RD350 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 88.0% | 86.3% |
| Outright fail rate | 5.4% | 6.6% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +1.6 pts | +2.4 pts |
| Engine size | 344cc | 347cc |
| Rank among all models | #1604 of 5428 | #2120 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 8,638 | 23,256 |
| MOT tests analysed | 518 | 19,574 |
| Most common failure | lighting and signalling | 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
| Component | Jawa 350/640 | Yamaha RD350 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 3.1% | 3.2% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.5% | 2.5% |
| Brakes | 1.2% | 2.7% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.5% | 0.9% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 1.2% | 0.4% |
| Structure & body | 1.0% | 0.4% |
| Drive system | 0.6% | 0.5% |
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
| Test year | Jawa 350/640 | Yamaha RD350 |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 71.0% | 85.8% |
| 2021 | 97.3% | 90.1% |
| 2022 | 86.8% | 90.5% |
| 2023 | 91.4% | 92.2% |
| 2024 | 86.7% | 94.8% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Jawa 350/640 | Yamaha RD350 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 89.8% | 88.9% |
| 10k-20k miles | 90.2% | 87.5% |
| 20k-30k miles | 78.0% | 85.5% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Jawa 350/640 vs Yamaha RD350 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Jawa 350/640 or the Yamaha RD350?
The Jawa 350/640 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha RD350: 88.0% vs 86.3%, a 1.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+1.6 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 Jawa 350/640 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 3.1% of Jawa 350/640 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.5%).
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 Jawa 350/640 or the Yamaha RD350?
At 20k-30k miles the Yamaha RD350 passes first time more often: 78.0% for the Jawa 350/640 vs 85.5% for the Yamaha RD350.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.