MZ Saxon vs Yamaha RD350

The Yamaha RD350 passes its MOT first time more often than the MZ Saxon — 86.3% vs 84.7%, a 1.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MZ Saxon	Yamaha RD350
First-time pass rate	84.7%	86.3%
Outright fail rate	6.3%	6.6%
Median miles at test	36,407	23,256
MOT tests analysed	601	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.

MZ SAXON 84.7% pass · 601 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.