Yamaha Tdm850 (1999)
1999 Yamaha Tdm850
CarHunch analysed 292 real MOT records for the 1999 Yamaha Tdm850. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1999 Yamaha TDM850 passes its MOT first time at 87.3%, which is comfortably above the UK average of 80%, suggesting these machines are generally well-maintained and reliable. A dangerous defect rate of 14.7% is moderate and not a major concern, though it's worth having a pre-purchase inspection focus on brake and suspension systems.
At nearly 27,000 miles on average, these bikes have covered reasonable distances for their age, and the 1.67 failures per vehicle indicates most issues are minor and fixable. The high advisory count of 6.9 per bike points to the wear you'd expect from a 25-year-old motorcycle—check lighting, cables, and exhaust condition carefully before buying, and budget for consumables in your first year.
What to check before buying a 1999 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.
- 📄 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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 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 1999 Yamaha Tdm850 vehicles fall between 16,851 and 33,423 miles.
1999 Yamaha Tdm850 — Still on the Road
85 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 53% of the peak remain.
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 — 1999 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 1999. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Yamaha Tdm850?
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