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%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.0 pts	+2.4 pts
Engine size	291cc	347cc
Rank among all models	#2572 of 5428	#2120 of 5428
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.

"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	MZ Saxon	Yamaha RD350
Lights & signalling	3.3%	3.2%
Brakes	2.2%	2.7%
Steering & suspension	1.7%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.8%	0.9%
Structure & body	1.0%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	0.4%
Drive system	0%	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

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

Test year	MZ Saxon	Yamaha RD350
2008	74.1%	79.7%
2009	80.8%	80.6%
2010	81.3%	81.9%
2011	80.0%	82.2%
2012	86.1%	84.7%
2013	90.9%	85.8%
2014	90.0%	86.6%
2015	90.0%	85.3%

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	MZ Saxon	Yamaha RD350
0k-10k miles	89.5%	88.9%
10k-20k miles	82.3%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	88.6%	85.5%
30k-40k miles	86.7%	85.3%
40k-50k miles	77.6%	83.7%
50k-60k miles	80.3%	83.0%

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

MZ Saxon vs Yamaha RD350 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the MZ Saxon or the 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. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the MZ Saxon still comes out ahead: +6.0 points vs comparable bikes for the MZ Saxon, +2.4 for the Yamaha RD350. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MZ Saxon fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.3% of MZ Saxon MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.2%).

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 MZ Saxon or the Yamaha RD350?

At 50k-60k miles the Yamaha RD350 passes first time more often: 80.3% for the MZ Saxon vs 83.0% for the Yamaha RD350.

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.