Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Yamaha Tzr 50?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 Yamaha Tzr 50?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 Yamaha Tzr 50?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2004 Yamaha Tzr 50 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 158 vehicles, the 2004 Yamaha Tzr 50 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 69.9%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Yamaha Tzr 50?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Yamaha Tzr 50 (2004)

158 real MOT outcomes analysed • 69.9% first-time pass rate

2004 Yamaha Tzr 50

CarHunch analysed 158 real MOT records for the 2004 Yamaha Tzr 50. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2004 Yamaha TZR 50 passes its MOT first time just 46% of the time—well below the UK average of 80%—suggesting these aging scooters need close attention to stay roadworthy. Dangerous defects turn up in about 1 in 8 of them, which is a manageable concern but worth factoring into your inspection checklist.

At nearly 8,600 miles on average, these machines are relatively lightly used for their age, yet they're still racking up 1.34 failures and 3.8 advisories per test on average. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection done by someone familiar with 50cc two-strokes—worn brakes, tired electrics, and chain/sprocket wear are the real killers on this model.

We have limited data for the 2004 Yamaha Tzr 50 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

69.9%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

13.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.34

Over 4.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

Middle half: 6k–11k

For context

These stats describe 158 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 158 Yamaha Tzr 50 cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Yamaha Tzr 50

Based on MOT data from 158 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 13.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Yamaha Tzr 50 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

8,271

typical

5,852

low mileage

11,201

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Yamaha Tzr 50 vehicles fall between 5,852 and 11,201 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 5,852 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 5,852–11,201 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Yamaha Tzr 50s sit.

⚠ Over 15,121 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Yamaha Tzr 50 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 37% of 2004 Yamaha Tzr 50s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2017 (37% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2017.

MOT History Averages

4.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.34

Avg failures per vehicle

3.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Yamaha Tzr 50: All Tzr 50 years → Which year to buy? →

2003

Or browse all models: Yamaha →

Compare with another model

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Buyer beware — pass it on