Yamaha Tdm850 (1998)
1998 Yamaha Tdm850
CarHunch analysed 245 real MOT records for the 1998 Yamaha Tdm850. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 TDM850 passes its MOT first time at 86%, a solid six points above the UK average, though nearly one in five examples have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a consideration if you're buying used. The median mileage of just 26,278 miles is remarkably low for a 26-year-old bike, suggesting these are either cherished machines or have been in storage, which may mask underlying deterioration. Owners should expect around 1.74 failures per test and 6.7 advisories, pointing to minor wear items rather than structural issues. Before purchase, request the full MOT history to check whether any dangerous defects were recorded and properly rectified—that's your best early warning system.
What to check before buying a 1998 Yamaha Tdm850
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.
- ⚠️ 21.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 Tdm850
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 244 | 86.1% | 1.75 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Yamaha Tdm850 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 1998 Yamaha Tdm850 vehicles fall between 18,286 and 34,363 miles.
1998 Yamaha Tdm850 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 59 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (42% of peak).
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Yamaha Tdm850
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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57.6%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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50.6%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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32.1%
Exhaust noisy
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26.2%
Drive chain slightly loose
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24.2%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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20.7%
Exhaust noisy
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20.1%
Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
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17.1%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Yamaha Tdm850?
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