Yamaha XJ MOT pass rate and common failures
Yamaha XJ motorcycles pass the MOT 86.4% of the time, measured across 456 tests in the DVSA record. A further 5.7% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with not working - it accounts for 30.6% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and missing, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (7.5% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 22,605 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.
Pass rate by age
A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.
| Age at test | Pass rate | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 years | 87.15% | 179 | |
| 11-15 years | 86.25% | 240 | |
| 16+ years | 83.78% | 37 |
Why the Yamaha XJ fails
Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.
| # | Item | Of failures | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not working | 30.6% | 11 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 25% | 9 | |
| 3 | Missing | 22.2% | 8 | |
| 4 | Has a serious fluid leak | 16.7% | 6 | |
| 5 | Excessively binding | 8.3% | 3 | |
| 6 | Excessively loose | 8.3% | 3 | |
| 7 | Grip insecure to handlebar | 8.3% | 3 | |
| 8 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 8.3% | 3 | |
| 9 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 5.6% | 2 | |
| 10 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 5.6% | 2 |
Most common advisories
Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.
| # | Item | Of all tests | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 7.5% | 34 | |
| 2 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 5.5% | 25 | |
| 3 | Excessively loose | 2.4% | 11 | |
| 4 | Has a serious fluid leak | 2.4% | 11 | |
| 5 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 2.2% | 10 | |
| 6 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 2% | 9 | |
| 7 | Excessively binding | 1.3% | 6 | |
| 8 | Worn to excess | 1.3% | 6 | |
| 9 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 1.1% | 5 | |
| 10 | Significantly and obviously worn | 1.1% | 5 |
Yamaha XJ for sale
No Yamaha XJ in stock at the moment - 83 other Yamaha bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB 397-750cc · 397-750cc | 5,400 | 89.76% | 19,444 | |
| Honda NC · 741cc | 5,311 | 89.53% | 22,765 | |
| Suzuki GSF600 · 600cc | 4,890 | 80% | 29,308 | |
| Honda CBR600F · 599cc | 4,710 | 85.56% | 30,651 | |
| Kawasaki ZX-6R · 599-636cc | 4,510 | 81.62% | 26,019 | |
| Suzuki SV650 · 646cc | 3,834 | 80.99% | 27,644 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method