2019 Yamaha MT-07 ABS 0.7L Petrol · PL68 JYC

The recorded MOT history for this 2019 Yamaha MT-07 ABS shows a mixed but largely compliant picture, with the most recent test on 25 January 2024 returning a clean pass and no advisories recorded. Earlier tests are not entirely unblemished: a January 2022 pass was similarly clean, but the January 2023 attempt recorded a failure for a missing rear reflector alongside three defects flagged as advisories only. The pattern of a single refusal on a minor visibility item followed by a pass later the same day, with advisories relating to exhaust noise, steering headbearing feel, and front tyre tread, points to a machine that has been kept broadly roadworthy but has shown isolated, non-structural concerns. The clean 2024 outcome is a positive data point, though it must be weighed against the advisories logged in the previous cycle, which suggest some components that were borderline a year before. With 8,066 miles recorded over roughly seven years, this equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 1,152 miles, which is notably low for a motorcycle of this age. Such a figure can reflect genuine light leisure use, but it also raises the possibility of extended periods of standing. For a motorcycle, prolonged inactivity can affect the battery, brakes, tyres, and fluid seals differently than high-mileage use; brake discs and pads can develop surface corrosion, tyre rubber can harden and crack, and fuel system components can degrade. The MOT records do not show multi-year testing gaps beyond the standard first-exemption period for a vehicle under three years old, so the present mileage is the only indicator of the usage profile. The annual rate remains consistently low rather than showing dramatic spikes, which means no single period of intense wear is evident in the data. From a component-specific standpoint, the advisory recorded on the steering headbearing in January 2023 warrants the most direct attention on any inspection. When assessing this motorcycle, the steering should be checked for any binding, notchiness, or irregular resistance as the forks are rotated from full lock to full lock with the front wheel lifted, both immediately and after the bearings have warmed up through a short ride. A previously stiff or notchy bearing can progress, and wear can also manifest as a slight indentation or roughness felt through the handlebars rather than at standstill. Equally important is the front tyre: with the front tyre having been flagged as worn close to the legal limit in 2023, the current tread depth, age-related sidewall cracking, and overall condition should be visually confirmed, as tyres fitted at the time of the advisory may well have been replaced since, or alternatively may have remained in service and deteriorated further. The remaining flagged items are comparatively straightforward but still merit verification. The exhaust, noted as noisy in 2023, should be listened to at idle and under load for any louder-than-expected exhaust tones, rattles, or blowing sounds that could indicate a loose joint or deteriorating mount. The rear reflector absence that caused the 2023 failure is a trivial rectification but worth confirming has been correctly resolved, as its absence would still constitute a straightforward fail. Beyond the recorded advisories, a prospective buyer should test the ABS function on a controlled surface, check for any binding or dragging from the brake calipers following periods of standing, and inspect for any fluid leaks from the fork seals, given the low usage pattern. The brake fluid itself, if it has not been changed during the intervening years, is a sensible service item to budget for, given the relatively low annual mileage and the age of the machine.