Yamaha Fz750 (1986)
1986 Yamaha Fz750
CarHunch analysed 150 real MOT records for the 1986 Yamaha Fz750. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The FZ750 is nearly as reliable as the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of 78.8% against the national benchmark of 80%—a negligible gap that suggests these 40-year-old machines hold up reasonably well. The dangerous defect rate of 12.7% is well within acceptable bounds, so safety concerns needn't be a major factor in your decision.
These bikes are running at a median 38,425 miles, which is genuinely low for a 1986 model and suggests many examples have been cherished rather than thrashed. With an average of just over one failure per MOT and 3.2 advisories, the typical issues are minor wear items rather than structural problems—before you buy, have a mechanic check the brake lines, tyres, and exhaust for corrosion, as these appear frequently in the data.
What to check before buying a 1986 Yamaha Fz750
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 Fz750
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 Yamaha Fz750 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.
Half of all 1986 Yamaha Fz750 vehicles fall between 28,170 and 48,597 miles.
1986 Yamaha Fz750 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (43% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Yamaha Fz750
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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22%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17.5%
Exhaust noisy
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16.9%
Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
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16.1%
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing
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15%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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11.6%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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10.5%
Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
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9.6%
Drive chain slightly loose
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Yamaha Fz750?
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