2002 Yamaha FZS600 0.6L Petrol · F2 SHN

The most recent DVSA examination on 23 April 2026 resulted in a clean pass with no advisories or defects recorded, and this continues a pattern of consistent compliance throughout the recorded MOT period. Across the eight tests listed between 2018 and 2026, the motorcycle has passed every examination, with only two isolated advisory entries logged in 2020 and 2024, both relating to tyre deterioration rather than mechanical or structural failure. The maintenance trend is therefore clearly stable, with no progressive deterioration evident in braking, suspension, lighting, or exhaust components, and the absence of recurring advisories suggests the owner has addressed worn items as they have arisen rather than allowing issues to accumulate. With a recorded mileage of 14,750 miles spread across approximately 24 years, this FZS600 has averaged around 615 miles annually, which is exceptionally low for a motorcycle and points to either significant periods of standing or genuine light leisure use. Such low annual mileage means that wear-related items such as brake pads, chain and sprocket sets, and engine internals are unlikely to be heavily consumed, but it also raises the likelihood of age-related degradation in components that deteriorate through calendar ageing rather than use. Extended standing periods can promote moisture ingress into brake hydraulic systems, oxidation of brake discs, flat-spotting or perishing of tyres, sulphation of the 12-volt battery, and drying or contamination of lubricants and hydraulic fluids, all of which merit close physical inspection regardless of the favourable MOT record. Given the 2024 advisory noting that tyres were ten years old and perished, any prospective buyer should undertake a careful hands-on inspection of the current rubber, paying particular attention to sidewall cracking, tread hardness, and any uneven wear patterns that might indicate alignment irregularities or prolonged standing on one wheel. Brake discs should be examined for surface corrosion, particularly around the outer edges and pad contact faces, and the calipers should be checked for free movement after the motorcycle has been stationary, as binding calipers are a common consequence of low-use storage. During a test ride, listen for any suspension clonks over uneven surfaces, which would suggest deteriorated bushes or top-yoke bearings, and confirm that the front forks operate smoothly without seepage from the seals, as standing age commonly dries and cracks fork oil seals. Finally, although the MOT history itself contains no fluid, lighting, or exhaust advisories, the calendar age of the machine means that time-based servicing remains essential regardless of the low odometer reading. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and should ideally be renewed every two years to prevent corrosion within the ABS-less hydraulic system, while coolant, fork oil, and the battery electrolyte or sealed cell voltage all warrant verification. The battery is particularly suspect on a machine of this age and usage profile, and a load test or voltage check under cranking should be requested. It is also prudent to confirm that the cam chain tensioner, throttle bodies, and carburettor or fuel injection system have not suffered from stale fuel residues or internal corrosion, and to inspect the exhaust system for internal moisture pitting caused by short journeys and infrequent running, which can prematurely compromise silencer and header pipe integrity.