Yamaha Fz6 (2008)

928 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.4% first-time pass rate

2008 Yamaha Fz6

CarHunch analysed 928 real MOT records for the 2008 Yamaha Fz6. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page
AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2008 Yamaha FZ6 passes its MOT first time at 88.3%, comfortably above the UK average of 80%, suggesting this is a solidly reliable middleweight. However, 20.6% of examples have recorded dangerous defects at some point, which is a genuine concern and worth investigating on any used example you're viewing.

At an average mileage of 18,230 for a 16-year-old bike, these are ridden regularly rather than garage queens, yet they still manage fewer than 1.5 failures per test and around 5 advisories. Before purchase, request full MOT history to check the dangerous defect record and verify that routine maintenance (chain, brakes, bearings) has been kept on top of.

The 2008 Yamaha Fz6 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (88.4%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
88.4%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
20.6%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
1.42
Over 11.4 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
16k
Middle half: 10k–23k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 88.4% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 4.9 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 928 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 928 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 62.9%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Lighting 32.9%
Drive chain slightly loose · Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s)
Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.
Exhaust & emissions 28.1%
Exhaust noisy
Brake wear 20%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake binding but not excessively · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Other issues 16.9%
Drive chain worn but not considered excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 928 Yamaha Fz6 cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2008 Yamaha Fz6

Based on MOT data from 928 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 20.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 6,861 Yamaha Fz6 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 29%
1,988
Blue 25.8%
1,767
Silver 22.5%
1,542
Red 9.6%
659
Purple 4%
277
Orange 3.5%
242
Grey 2.5%
170
White 2%
136
Yellow 1.1%
75
Multi-colour 0.1%
5

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Yamaha Fz6 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

15,903
typical
10,051
low mileage
23,390
high mileage

Half of all 2008 Yamaha Fz6 vehicles fall between 10,051 and 23,390 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 10,051 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
10,051–23,390 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Yamaha Fz6s sit.
Over 31,576 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Yamaha Fz6 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 57% of 2008 Yamaha Fz6s are still active.

430 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 57% of the peak remain.

750 430 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.42
Avg failures per vehicle
4.9
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Yamaha Fz6: All Fz6 years → Which year to buy? →
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010

Or browse all models: Yamaha →

Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Yamaha Fz6 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?