Yamaha XP500 MOT pass rate and common failures
Yamaha XP500 motorcycles pass the MOT 90.46% of the time, measured across 262 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.58% 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 38.5% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check excessively binding and has a serious fluid leak, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (6.9% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 25,256 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 | 89.58% | 96 | |
| 16+ years | 90.68% | 161 |
Why the Yamaha XP500 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 | 38.5% | 5 | |
| 2 | Excessively binding | 30.8% | 4 | |
| 3 | Has a serious fluid leak | 30.8% | 4 | |
| 4 | Seriously damaged | 30.8% | 4 | |
| 5 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 30.8% | 4 | |
| 6 | Light intensity obviously reduced | 23.1% | 3 | |
| 7 | Contaminated | 15.4% | 2 | |
| 8 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 15.4% | 2 | |
| 9 | Grip insecure to handlebar | 15.4% | 2 | |
| 10 | Incorrect colour | 15.4% | 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 | 6.9% | 18 | |
| 2 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 5% | 13 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 4.2% | 11 | |
| 4 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 4.2% | 11 | |
| 5 | Has a serious fluid leak | 3.1% | 8 | |
| 6 | Significantly and obviously worn | 3.1% | 8 | |
| 7 | Excessively binding | 2.7% | 7 | |
| 8 | Ferrule excessively corroded | 1.1% | 3 | |
| 9 | Has a major leak of exhaust gases | 1.1% | 3 | |
| 10 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 1.1% | 3 |
Yamaha XP500 for sale
No Yamaha XP500 in stock at the moment - 82 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Suzuki GSXR600 · 599cc | 3,831 | 81.83% | 25,077 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method