Yamaha XJR 1300 MOT pass rate and common failures

Yamaha XJR 1300 motorcycles pass the MOT 93.6% of the time, measured across 203 tests in the DVSA record. A further 3.94% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Better than average: 6.7 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.
Pass rate 93.6% 190 of 203
Fixed at the station 3.94% passed after an on-the-spot repair
Average mileage at test 21,769 miles
Average age at test 18.51 years old
Engine 1,252cc MOT class 2
For sale now 3 Yamaha XJR 1300 adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

  • Start with not working - it accounts for 60% of failed tests on this model.
  • Then check too low and tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, the next two most common reasons.
  • The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (7.4% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
  • Average recorded mileage at test is 21,769 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
11-15 years 93.55% 62
16+ years 93.62% 141

Why the Yamaha XJR 1300 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 60% 3
2 Too low 60% 3
3 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 60% 3
4 Does not conform to the specified requirements 40% 2
5 Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls 20% 1
6 Excessively loose 20% 1
7 Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 20% 1
8 Obviously incorrectly positioned 20% 1
9 Switch with a delay in operation 20% 1
10 Too high 20% 1

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 Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 7.4% 15
2 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 3.9% 8
3 Has a serious fluid leak 2.5% 5
4 In such a condition that it is seriously weakened 2% 4
5 Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 2% 4
6 Excessively binding 1% 2
7 Excessively loose 1% 2
8 Excessively tight 1% 2
9 Has a major leak of exhaust gases 1% 2
10 Less than 1.0 mm thick 1% 2

Yamaha XJR 1300 for sale

3 Yamaha XJR 1300 adverts on MotoDealers UK right now, 84 Yamaha in total.

Similar bikes compared

Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.

Model Tests Pass rate   Avg mileage
Triumph TIGER · 969cc 16,144 91.27% 22,934
BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc 9,796 91.92% 40,594
BMW R1200 · 1,170cc 9,521 94.43% 28,830
BMW S 1000 · 999cc 8,445 91.96% 15,282
BMW R1250 · 1,254cc 6,764 96.17% 17,373
BMW R 1200 · 1,170cc 6,170 95.28% 27,241

Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method

Yamaha XJR 1300 MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Yamaha XJR 1300?+
93.6% of Yamaha XJR 1300 MOT tests end in a pass, based on 203 tests in the DVSA dataset.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Yamaha XJR 1300?+
Not working, which appears in 60% of failed tests on this model.
Does the Yamaha XJR 1300 get harder to pass as it ages?+
At 16+ years old the pass rate is 93.62%, against 93.55% for examples 11-15 years old.
Where does this data come from?+
From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.
Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+
Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.
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