Yamaha XSR 689cc MOT pass rate and common failures

Yamaha XSR 689cc motorcycles pass the MOT 88.55% of the time, measured across 1,100 tests in the DVSA record. A further 5.45% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Calculated from DVSA records for Yamaha XSR, 689-700cc.

About average - within 1.7 points of the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.
Pass rate 88.55% 974 of 1,100
Fixed at the station 5.45% passed after an on-the-spot repair
Average mileage at test 11,385 miles
Average age at test 7.44 years old
Engine 688cc MOT class 1 and 2
For sale now 0 Yamaha XSR 689cc adverts

What to check before the MOT

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

  • Start with missing - it accounts for 65.2% of failed tests on this model.
  • Then check not working and too high, 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 (9.8% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
  • Average recorded mileage at test is 11,385 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
3-5 years 89.86% 207
6-10 years 88.24% 893

Why the Yamaha XSR 689cc 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 Missing 65.2% 43
2 Not working 27.3% 18
3 Too high 19.7% 13
4 Does not conform to the specified requirements 15.2% 10
5 Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) 13.6% 9
6 Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls 10.6% 7
7 Grip insecure to handlebar 10.6% 7
8 Flashing more than 120 times a minute 9.1% 6
9 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 9.1% 6
10 Insecure 7.6% 5

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 9.8% 108
2 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 6.8% 75
3 Excessively loose 2.1% 23
4 Less than 1.0 mm thick 1.7% 19
5 Significantly and obviously worn 1.1% 12
6 Tread not clearly visible 1.1% 12
7 Seriously damaged 0.9% 10
8 Excessively binding 0.8% 9
9 Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 0.8% 9
10 Inscription illegible 0.8% 9

Yamaha XSR 689cc for sale

No Yamaha XSR 689cc in stock at the moment - 86 other Yamaha bikes are advertised.

Similar bikes compared

Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.

Model Tests Pass rate   Avg mileage
Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc 12,456 90.8% 12,824
Honda CB 397-750cc · 397-750cc 5,400 89.76% 19,444
Honda NC · 741cc 5,311 89.53% 22,765
Honda CBR600F · 599cc 4,914 85.61% 30,486
Suzuki GSF600 · 600cc 4,890 80% 29,308
Kawasaki ZX-6R · 599-636cc 4,713 81.54% 26,085

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

Yamaha XSR 689cc MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Yamaha XSR 689cc?+
88.55% of Yamaha XSR 689cc MOT tests end in a pass, based on 1,100 tests in the DVSA dataset.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Yamaha XSR 689cc?+
Missing, which appears in 65.2% of failed tests on this model.
Does the Yamaha XSR 689cc get harder to pass as it ages?+
At 6-10 years old the pass rate is 88.24%, against 89.86% for examples 3-5 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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