Yamaha RD350
Real ownership data from 4,887 UK RD350 motorcycles — mileage, MOT pass rates and the faults that actually come up, taken from DVSA test records rather than opinion.
Most common RD350 problems
Ranked by how often each fault appears in this model's MOT history.
| Fault | Severity | Share of faults |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaust and emissions | fail | 14.4% |
| Tyres | dangerous | 12.5% |
| Fluid leaks | dangerous | 10.1% |
| Steering and head bearings | major | 5.1% |
| Other | dangerous | 5.1% |
| Frame and structure | fail | 4% |
| Brake discs and pads | dangerous | 4% |
| Chain and sprockets | dangerous | 3.1% |
Advisories (wear noted but not failed) are excluded above; the most common is controls and cables.
RD350 mileage and reliability by year
Use this to judge whether a specific bike is high or low mileage for its age.
| YearYear | MedianMedian mileage | Mi/yrMiles/year | MOT passFirst-time pass | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 29 | 18,644 mi | 113 | 90.67% |
| 2020 | 33 | 15,098 mi | 671 | 89.33% |
| 2019 | 46 | 15,047 mi | 269 | 91.18% |
| 2018 | 41 | 22,970 mi | 370 | 86.36% |
| 2017 | 91 | 17,910 mi | 238 | 90.14% |
| 2016 | 61 | 17,935 mi | 288 | 87.36% |
| 2015 | 45 | 13,720 mi | 234 | 86.83% |
| 2014 | 36 | 18,229 mi | 164 | 88.61% |
| 2013 | 38 | 16,329 mi | 210 | 85.13% |
| 2012 | 33 | 18,162 mi | 434 | 82.26% |
| 2011 | 14 | 15,154 mi | 307 | 86.44% |
| 2010 | 20 | 20,670 mi | 176 | 85.45% |
| 2009 | 12 | 15,956 mi | 153 | 89.39% |
| 2008 | 13 | 23,700 mi | 461 | 88.68% |
| 2007 | 8 | 20,973 mi | 237 | 78.72% |
| 2006 | 11 | 25,794 mi | 655 | 85.9% |
| 2005 | 9 | 12,300 mi | 167 | 88.89% |
| 2003 | 6 | 19,504 mi | 143 | 91.67% |
| 2001 | 6 | 19,927 mi | 1,376 | 90.91% |
| 2000 | 11 | 15,500 mi | 336 | 87.32% |
RD350 questions, answered with data
What are the most common problems with the Yamaha RD350?
Across 4,887 UK examples, the most frequently recorded MOT faults are exhaust and emissions (14.4% of all recorded faults), tyres (12.5% of all recorded faults), fluid leaks (10.1% of all recorded faults).
What is average mileage for a Yamaha RD350?
The median Yamaha RD350 in the UK has covered 21,964 miles, and typically rides about 175 miles a year. Half of all examples fall between 12,532 and 31,025 miles.
Is the Yamaha RD350 reliable?
86.92% of Yamaha RD350 MOT tests are passed first time, with an average of 0.02 faults recorded per test. This is measured from DVSA MOT records, not owner opinion.
Based on DVSA MOT test records for 4,887 Yamaha RD350 motorcycles registered in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.