2004 Yamaha FZ6 0.6L Petrol · PJ54 FVY

The 2004 Yamaha FZ6 presents a stable and largely reassuring roadworthiness profile, with the most recent MOT conducted on 5 March 2026 at 13,390 miles resulting in a clean pass. The same test session initially recorded a failure for a noisy rear exhaust, a slightly loose rear registration plate, and slight fluctuation of rear brake effort, alongside a headlamp aim defect. All four items were rectified within the same day, and the retest passed without advisories. This pattern indicates a minor compliance blip rather than a systemic mechanical concern, and the current certificate remains valid until 4 March 2027. The mileage record reveals a notable anomaly that warrants careful interpretation. The bike stood at 25,901 miles in May 2023 and 26,634 miles in May 2024, yet by February 2025 the reading had dropped to 12,173 miles, before climbing back to 13,390 miles by March 2026. A rollback of over 14,000 miles in under two years is inconsistent with normal use and strongly suggests a clocking event, instrument cluster replacement, or data entry error at one or more test points. The current 13,390-mile figure should therefore be treated as unreliable without corroborating service records, a verified HPI check, or physical inspection of wear indicators such as chain stretch, sprocket tooth profile, brake disc thickness, and tyre date codes. Despite the mileage uncertainty, the MOT history itself is sparse but clean aside from the March 2026 retest. The 2025 test at 12,173 miles and the 2024 and 2023 tests all passed with zero defects, suggesting the machine has not been subjected to repeated mechanical failures. The rear brake fluctuation flagged in March 2026 could point to a sticking caliper piston, contaminated brake fluid, or uneven disc wear, all of which are consumable-related issues on a machine of this age rather than structural defects. The noisy rear exhaust may indicate a deteriorating silencer baffle or a minor exhaust joint leak, neither of which compromises structural integrity. A prospective buyer should focus the in-person inspection on verifying the true mileage and the condition of safety-critical components. Check the front brake calipers and master cylinder for fluid leaks, measure disc runout and thickness, and assess whether the rear caliper slides and pistons move freely. Examine the exhaust system for corrosion at joints and mounting points, particularly the rear silencer. Inspect the headlamp aim and beam pattern to confirm the March 2026 repair was effective. Given the mileage discrepancy, a full service history, chain and sprocket condition, and tyre age codes will provide far more reliable evidence of actual use than the MOT record alone.