Yamaha Fzs 600 (2003)

273 real MOT outcomes analysed • 61.3% first-time pass rate

2003 Yamaha Fzs 600

CarHunch analysed 273 real MOT records for the 2003 Yamaha Fzs 600. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2003 Yamaha FZS 600 struggles at MOT time, with a first-pass rate of just 61.3%—well below the UK average of 80%—suggesting these bikes need more maintenance attention than most. The good news is that dangerous defects are rare at 4.8%, so safety-critical issues aren't a widespread concern for the model.

These 20-year-old machines are running modest mileage (median 16,536 miles), yet averaging 0.51 failures and 1.5 advisories per test, which points to wear-related issues rather than abuse. Before buying, budget for pre-MOT remedial work and inspect the fuel system, electrics, and exhaust carefully, as these are likely culprits behind the high failure rate.

Below average reliability 18.7% below UK average
61.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
16,536
typical mileage
10,328–26,616 middle half
4.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.51
avg MOT failures per car
over 5 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2003 Yamaha Fzs 600

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 Fzs 600

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

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (82%) 223 53.6% 0.58
Other (18%) 50 95.8% 0.2

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Yamaha Fzs 600 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.

10,328
low mileage
16,536
typical
26,616
high mileage

Half of all 2003 Yamaha Fzs 600 vehicles fall between 10,328 and 26,616 miles.

2003 Yamaha Fzs 600 — Still on the Road

51 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 76% of the peak remain.

33 51 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

5
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.51
Avg failures per vehicle
1.5
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Yamaha Fzs 600?

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

UK

Other model years — Yamaha Fzs 600:

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002