Yamaha Sa50 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 209 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 18.7%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Yamaha Sa50 MOT Reliability Overview
The Yamaha Sa50 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 209 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 3 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.3% and a failure rate of 18.7%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Yamaha Sa50 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Yamaha Sa50 presents for MOT with approximately 4,439 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 1980 models achieve the highest pass rate at 87.2%, while 1981 models have the lowest at 78.8%. This 8.4 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the Yamaha Sa50 is Motorcycle lighting and signalling, affecting 12.0% of all tests. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. The second most common issue is Motorcycle brakes at 11.0%. Motorcycle tyres and wheels rounds out the top three at 7.2%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 14.4% | 30 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Brakes | 13.4% | 28 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 9.1% | 19 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Steering And Suspension | 6.2% | 13 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 2.9% | 6 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 1.9% | 4 |
| 7 | Motorcycle Suspension | 1.4% | 3 |
| 8 | Motorcycle Audible Warning (Horn) | 1.0% | 2 |
| 9 | Motorcycle Tyres | 1.0% | 2 |
| 10 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.0% | 2 |
| 11 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 1.0% | 2 |
| 12 | Motorcycle Driving Controls | 0.5% | 1 |
| 13 | Motorcycle Reg Plates And Vin | 0.5% | 1 |
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Mileage at MOT
The average Yamaha Sa50 has 4,439 miles when tested for MOT.
About Yamaha Sa50 MOT Data
The Yamaha Sa50 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 209 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 3 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.3% and a failure rate of 18.7%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Yamaha Sa50 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle lighting and signalling and motorcycle brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Sa50 is likely to perform.
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 12.0% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 12.0% of MOT failures on the Yamaha Sa50. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Motorcycle brakes — 11.0% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 11.0% of MOT failures on the Yamaha Sa50. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Motorcycle tyres and wheels — 7.2% of failures
Motorcycle tyres and wheels issues account for 7.2% of MOT failures on the Yamaha Sa50. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Yamaha Sa50?
Based on 209 MOT tests in our database, the Yamaha Sa50 has an overall pass rate of 81.3% (18.7% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Yamaha Sa50?
The top 3 reasons a Yamaha Sa50 fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (12.0%), 2. Motorcycle brakes (11.0%), 3. Motorcycle tyres and wheels (7.2%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Yamaha Sa50 reliable?
With a 18.7% MOT failure rate, the Sa50 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Yamaha Sa50?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle lighting and signalling (12.0%); Motorcycle brakes (11.0%); Motorcycle tyres and wheels (7.2%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.