Yamaha SR500
Real ownership data from 577 UK SR500 motorcycles — mileage, MOT pass rates and the faults that actually come up, taken from DVSA test records rather than opinion.
Most common SR500 problems
Ranked by how often each fault appears in this model's MOT history.
| Fault | Severity | Share of faults |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | dangerous | 13.3% |
| Other | major | 9.8% |
| Lights and indicators | major | 9.2% |
| Tyres | major | 8.2% |
| Suspension | fail | 7.2% |
| Steering and head bearings | major | 6.8% |
| Chain and sprockets | fail | 6.2% |
| Electrical | major | 6% |
Advisories (wear noted but not failed) are excluded above; the most common is other.
SR500 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 9,921 mi | 208 | 83.33% |
| 2017 | 5 | 32,148 mi | 469 | 83.33% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1,948 mi | 76 | 60% |
| 2015 | 8 | 16,576 mi | 483 | 79.41% |
| 2013 | 5 | 18,439 mi | — | 91.18% |
| 2007 | 5 | 8,449 mi | 43 | 78.57% |
| 2000 | 5 | 30,110 mi | 577 | 89.47% |
| 1999 | 6 | 20,724 mi | 268 | 94.55% |
| 1998 | 8 | 27,137 mi | 1,228 | 79.41% |
| 1997 | 9 | 29,581 mi | 613 | 87.5% |
| 1996 | 5 | 28,664 mi | 168 | 73.68% |
| 1994 | 6 | 7,101 mi | 362 | 86.21% |
| 1992 | 6 | 16,460 mi | 2,171 | 76.47% |
| 1991 | 7 | 6,540 mi | 15 | 83.33% |
| 1990 | 12 | 14,799 mi | 541 | 75% |
| 1989 | 6 | 23,000 mi | 461 | 90% |
| 1985 | 5 | 24,964 mi | 698 | 73.53% |
| 1984 | 8 | 34,738 mi | 1,185 | 79.41% |
| 1983 | 26 | 20,257 mi | 198 | 78.63% |
| 1982 | 28 | 22,258 mi | 210 | 85.33% |
SR500 questions, answered with data
What are the most common problems with the Yamaha SR500?
Across 577 UK examples, the most frequently recorded MOT faults are brakes (13.3% of all recorded faults), other (9.8% of all recorded faults), lights and indicators (9.2% of all recorded faults).
What is average mileage for a Yamaha SR500?
The median Yamaha SR500 in the UK has covered 23,033 miles, and typically rides about 271 miles a year. Half of all examples fall between 9,590 and 39,070 miles.
Is the Yamaha SR500 reliable?
82.25% of Yamaha SR500 MOT tests are passed first time, with an average of 0.34 faults recorded per test. This is measured from DVSA MOT records, not owner opinion.
Based on DVSA MOT test records for 577 Yamaha SR500 motorcycles registered in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.