Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 Yamaha Fz600?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1987 Yamaha Fz600?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1987 Yamaha Fz600?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1987 Yamaha Fz600?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Yamaha Fz600 (1987)

104 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73.7% first-time pass rate

1987 Yamaha Fz600

CarHunch analysed 104 real MOT records for the 1987 Yamaha Fz600. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 6.3% below UK average

73.7%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

33,589

typical mileage

24,231–44,370 middle half

4.8%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.86

avg MOT failures per car

over 3.5 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1987 Yamaha Fz600

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Yamaha Fz600

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Mileage Distribution

Most 1987 Yamaha Fz600 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

24,231

low mileage

33,589

typical

44,370

high mileage

Half of all 1987 Yamaha Fz600 vehicles fall between 24,231 and 44,370 miles.

MOT History Averages

3.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.86

Avg failures per vehicle

2.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Yamaha Fz600

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

18.8%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
18.8%

Rear reflector on motorcycle missing
17.6%

Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
15.9%

Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
12.9%

Drive chain slightly loose
12.9%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
11.8%

Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
11.2%

No lights fitted at time of test

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Yamaha Fz600?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.