Yamaha Unknown (1982)
1982 Yamaha Unknown
CarHunch analysed 44,607 real MOT records for the 1982 Yamaha Unknown. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1982 Yamaha Unknown has a first-time pass rate of just 70%, well below the UK average of 80%, suggesting these nearly 45,000 vehicles are struggling to meet MOT standards. With zero recorded dangerous defects and petrol models passing at 60%, the issue isn't safety—it's that age and condition are catching up with these machines.
At a median mileage of 15,387 miles, these survivors are relatively low-mileage examples, yet they're still failing MOT more often than average, which points to time-related deterioration rather than heavy use. If you're considering one, factor in that maintenance costs will likely exceed typical for a motorcycle or scooter of this era, and expect to budget for restoration work before any serious riding.
What to check before buying a 1982 Yamaha Unknown
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 Unknown
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 (100%) | 44,589 | 0.6% | 0 |
| Other (0%) | 10 | 80% | 0.4 |
| Diesel (0%) | 5 | 0% | 0 |
| Gas Diesel (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| Gas (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1982 Yamaha Unknown 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 1982 Yamaha Unknown vehicles fall between 6,692 and 26,630 miles.
1982 Yamaha Unknown — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 14 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (11% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Yamaha Unknown
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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11.6%
Exhaust noisy
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8.1%
Steering headbearing has slight free play
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6.4%
Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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5%
Chain guard missing ()
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4.4%
Rear reflector missing
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4.1%
Exhaust noisy
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4.1%
Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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3.7%
Steering headbearing slightly stiff or notchy
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Yamaha Unknown?
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