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Yamaha Rd500 (1984)

120 real MOT outcomes analysed • 92.5% first-time pass rate

1984 Yamaha Rd500

CarHunch analysed 120 real MOT records for the 1984 Yamaha Rd500. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Generally reliable 12.5% above UK average
92.5%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
18,834
typical mileage
11,112–26,012 middle half
4.2%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.37
avg MOT failures per car
over 4.9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1984 Yamaha Rd500

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 Rd500

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

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

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1984 Yamaha Rd500 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.

11,112
low mileage
18,834
typical
26,012
high mileage

Half of all 1984 Yamaha Rd500 vehicles fall between 11,112 and 26,012 miles.

1984 Yamaha Rd500 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (26% of peak).

21 10 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

4.9
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.37
Avg failures per vehicle
1.2
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1984 Yamaha Rd500

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

  • 7.5%
    No lights fitted at time of test
  • 7.5%
    Rear suspension bush has slight free play
  • 5.5%
    Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
  • 5.5%
    Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
  • 4.5%
    Drive chain slightly loose
  • 4.5%
    Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
  • 4.5%
    Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 3.5%
    Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1984. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Yamaha Rd500?

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

UK

Other model years — Yamaha Rd500:

1985