Yamaha Rd 350 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Rd 350 car check
Is the Yamaha Rd 350 reliable? We analysed 822 real MOT tests across 122 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Rd 350? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Rd 350 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and horn not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Rd 350.
Yamaha Rd 350 — specs & performance
Verified from DVLA & DVSA recordsA snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the Yamaha Rd 350 — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.
Engine & Performance
- Engine size
- 350cc
- Power
- 63 BHP
- Power (kW)
- 47 kW
- Fuel type
- Petrol
Body & Dimensions
- Body type
- Motorcycle
- Common colour
- Black
- Wheel plan
- 2 Wheel
Fuel Economy
Tax & Emissions
- Emission class
- Not Available
Yamaha Rd 350 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Rd 350. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Rd 350 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Rd 350 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Rd 350 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Rd 350 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Rd 350 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Rd 350 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Rd 350 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Rd 350 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 89 | 89.9% | 27,537 | 46,774 | 55,757 |
| 1984 | 53 | 88.7% | 11,226 | 13,068 | 32,158 |
| 1981 | 189 | 90.5% | 18,826 | 24,742 | 33,030 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Rd 350 Last?
Based on 122 Yamaha Rd 350 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Rd 350 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Rd 350 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Rd 350
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.5% MOT pass rate from 189 tests
88.7% MOT pass rate from 53 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Rd 350 is 1981, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.5% across 189 tests. The 1984 model year has the lowest pass rate at 88.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Rd 350 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Rd 350 THIS CAR | 89.5% | 822 | 24,160 mi | 45 yrs |
| Yamaha Yzf R1 | 86.5% | 175,313 | 16,232 mi | 28 yrs |
| Yamaha FZS600 | 85% | 157,659 | 22,466 mi | 28 yrs |
| Yamaha XJR1300 | 88.8% | 107,128 | 16,836 mi | 27 yrs |
| Aprilia Leonardo | 82.9% | 1,143 | 17,127 mi | 28 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Rd 350 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Rd 350 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Yamaha Rd 350Should you buy a used Yamaha Rd 350?
The Yamaha Rd 350 has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.5% across 822 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Yamaha Rd 350 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (8 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (5), and horn not working (5). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Yamaha Rd 350 owner drives around 165 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Yamaha Rd 350 models stay on UK roads for around 45 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.